FIFA's world player for 1999 will be selected from European player of the year Rivaldo, English midfielder David Beckham and Argentine Gabriel Batistuta.

Soccer's world governing body said in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday that the trio came out top in a poll of 140 national team coaches. The winner will be announced at a gala in Brussels on January 24.

The award has been given eight times before. Veteran German Libero Lothar Matthaeus won the first award in 1991 with French World Cup midfielder Zinedine Zidane taking the prize last year.

Other awards to be presented at the ceremony include team of the year for Brazil and the 1999 fair play award for New Zealand, who won praise for their hosting of the FIFA under-17 World Cup in November. (Xinhua)