MONTEVIDEO, Dec 29 (SW) - Corinthians' Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez has been voted as best player of the year in South America.

Uruguayan newspaper El País asked 200 South American journalists to pick their favorite. Tevez came out as winner, and takes the title for the third time in a row.

The forward is now the only player to have won the election three times. Until now, he shared the record with Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama, who won in 1987 and 1993.

The top four was completed with three São Paulo players: Uruguayan defender Diego Lugano, new Real Madrid signing Cicinho and goalkeeper Rogério Ceni.