Fabio named Euro star
Cannavaro was pivotal in the Azzurri's World Cup triumph
Also In The News
|
Hopes of achieving peace in the Middle East strengthened today after a new ceasefire agreement appeared to hold between the Israelis and the Palestinians. |  |
Monday, 27, Nov 2006 10:34
World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro has won the European Footballer of the Year award.
The Italian skipper took home the Ballan D'Or prize ahead of compatriot Gianluigi Buffon while Arsenal ace Thierry Henry finished third.
Cannavaro had 173 points, 49 points more than Juventus goalkeeper Buffon with Henry finishing on 121 points.
The 33-year-old defender lifted the World Cup in July after Italy's triumph over Henry's France in Berlin and won the Serie A title with Juventus, which they were later stripped of after the match-fixing scandal.
Barcelona star Ronaldinho, who was awarded the prize last year, finished fourth while midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who won the prize in 1998, was fifth.
Cannavaro, who moved to Real Madrid in the summer, was given the award, voted by European journalists, at a ceremony in Paris.
The former Inter Milan centre-back said he was delighted to become one of the few defenders to win the award.
"It has a double importance because it's given to the greatest players and as a defender it's rare to have this honour," Cannavaro said.
"The World Cup in Germany was perfect for a defender. I remember in particular the semi-final against Germany.
"I want to thank Real president Raman Calderon and my team-mates from Juve and the national team who had an important part to play in my winning this award."
The winner of the Fifa World Player of the Year award will be named next month.