© Reuters 2002

OVIEDO, Spain, Sept 24 (Reuters) - 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan" winners Brazil have been awarded Spain's top international sporting honour, the Principe de Asturias award, organisers said on Tuesday.

The Brazilian team, who won a record fifth title with a 2-0 win over Germany in June's FIFA World Cup" final in Japan, were chosen as this year's winners by a jury headed by former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch.

According to organisers the Brazilian team was given the award because of "its achievement in winning five World Cups, with exceptional players who have played in some of the best teams on the planet.

"Their players have always played in an innovative, sporting and offensive manner, providing a permanent example to millions of players and fans who are involved in the sport," read the jury's citation.

Previous winners of the Spanish award include cycling's Lance Armstrong, tennis players Steffi Graff and Martina Navratilova and Carl Lewis and Sebastian Coe from athletics.