Henry up for world award

Chelsea fail in bid for Henry

Arsenal's Thierry Henry will find out on Monday whether he has been crowned as the best player on the planet.

Henry has made the shortlist of three for Fifa's 2003 World Player of the Year for the first time this year, along with Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.

The winner will be announced at the Fifa World Player Gala in Basle, Switzerland, on Monday.

Winning the award would cap an amazing few weeks for French international Henry, who has wowed Europe with performances such as that which helped Arsenal win 5-1 away at Inter Milan.

Feature: Henry on centre stage

His stunning displays led the Gunners' wealthy London neighbours Chelsea to make an official offer for him - said to be between £40m and £50m - last week.

Arsenal turned down the bid - and have said their most prized asset is not for sale at any price.

Highbury boss Arsene Wenger backed his player for the award.

"I think he deserves it. It is a fantastic reward for him to be in the top three," he said.

Ronaldo won the accolade in 2002 and will be looking to claim it for an unprecedented fourth time.

Zidane will be hoping to make it a hat-trick of triumphs having previously won in 1998 and 2000.

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