Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Cannavaro Adds FIFA World Player of the Year to his "Ballon d'Or"

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Italy's World Cup captain Fabio Cannavaro was named 2006 FIFA on Monday, capping off a story-book year for the player. Cannavaro is the first defender to win the honor in the 16-year history of the award, and he is the second Italian to be named.

Cannavaro (498 total points) beat out France's Zinedine Zidane (454) and Barcelona's Brazilian ace Ronaldinho (380). Thierry Henry finished fourth, and Samuel Eto'o finished fifth in the voting by national team coaches and international captains.

Last month Cannavaro won the Golden Ball (Ballon d'Or) as the top footballer in Europe, and in July, of course, the Real Madrid man lifted the World Cup in Germany.

FIFA World Player of the Year Winners

Year

Player

Country

2006

FabioCannavaro

Italy

2005

Ronaldinho

Brazil

2004

Ronaldinho

Brazil

2003

Zinedine Zidane

France

2002

Ronaldo

Brazil

2001

Luis Figo

Portugal

2000

Zinedine Zidane

France

1999

Rivaldo

Brazil

1998

Zinedine Zidane

France

1997

Ronaldo

Brazil

1996

Ronaldo

Brazil

1995

George Weah

Liberia

1994

Romario

Brazil

1993

Roberto Baggio

Italy

1992

MarcovanBasten

Netherlands

1991

Lothar Matthdus

Germany

 

 

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