MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay international midfielder Carlos Sanchez has been named the 2015 Rey de America, awarded to the best player in South American football.

The 31-year-old, who helped River Plate to this year's Copa Libertadores title, received 182 votes from the region's most renowned journalists, according to Uruguay's El Pais newspaper.

Sanchez is the first Uruguayan to win the prize since Enzo Francescoli in 1995.

He finished ahead of Carlos Tevez (Boca Juniors) and Miller Bolanos (Emelec).

The Rey de America award is considered South American football's top individual accolade.

Sanchez left River Plate to sign a three-year contract with Mexico's Rayados de Monterrey in November.