Cannavaro wins FIFA Player of the Year

**italian_stallion21** · 12-19-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro added another accolade to his collection Monday, winning FIFA's world player of the year award.

The 33-year-old defender, who led Italy to the World Cup title and also was voted the best player in Europe, won with 498 points.

French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who took the World Cup's top player award despite receiving a red card in the final for head-butting Marco Materazzi in extra time, was second with 454 points. Brazilian forward Ronaldinho was third with 380 points.

''I would like to dedicate this award to Italian football,'' Cannavaro said. ''Everyone knows that we have had problems, and this should be a moment of rebirth for Italian football.''

Cannavaro is regarded as one of the best centre backs in the game. In August, he took over Zidane's No. 5 shirt at Real Madrid after leaving Juventus following their demotion to the second division because of Italy's match-fixing scandal.

Before moving to Juventus, Cannavaro spent seven years with Parma, where he won the UEFA Cup, and two seasons with Inter Milan. He is only the second Italian to win the FIFA award - Roberto Baggio took it in 1993.

It all makes perfect sense, although still confused on Ronaldinho getting 3rd, figured he would be the closest to Cannavaro.

zenga · 12-19-2006, 04:16 PM

Beat me to it Stallion.

Well deserved.

Forza Fabio!

**The Franchise** · 12-19-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italian_stallion21

It all makes perfect sense, although still confused on Ronaldinho getting 3rd, figured he would be the closest to Cannavaro.

He should have won

**italian_stallion21** · 12-19-2006, 04:49 PM

A couple nice goals doesn't net you the best player unfortunately for Ronaldinho. He just didn't have that great a year this year.

**Sir M** · 12-19-2006, 07:46 PM

Better yet, he is probably top 5 on his club side.

He had a good World Cup though.

colemanj · 12-19-2006, 08:49 PM

Yes, the World Cup says it all, it had to be him or ... Grosso? Club football has to take second place this year. Sorry Ronaldinho.

Definitely Zidane second, he carried France on his back through both the Brazil and Italy games -- regular time that is. A little slip cost him player of the year and likely more legendary status in the years to come.

**Sir M** · 12-19-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colemanj

Yes, the World Cup says it all, it had to be him or ... Grosso? .

You are right Coleman: though his name did not jump out at me at first for this award, and yes he did win some accolades in Calgary this past winter, although SCP I am sure will himself admit that his club side's achievements, much like Cannavaro's thus far this year on the pitch were below his own expectations.

Poker on the Drive is a completetly, however, different story.

But I for one agree, he is an excellent nominee for this award.

12-19-2006, 04:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
zenga Member Joined: Dec 2001 Location: Out and about! Posts: 1,451 Images: 1 TTP Friends: (0)	Re: Cannavaro wins FIFA Player of the Year Beat me to it Stallion. Well deserved. Forza Fabio! Last edited by zenga; 12-19-2006 at 04:18 PM.

12-19-2006, 04:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
italian_stallion21 Premium Member A Better Bastard Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Cloverdale Posts: 2,897 Images: 12 TTP Friends: (16)	Re: Cannavaro wins FIFA Player of the Year A couple nice goals doesn't net you the best player unfortunately for Ronaldinho. He just didn't have that great a year this year.

12-19-2006, 07:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sir M Give Me Strength A Better Bastard Joined: Feb 2004 Location: At the Estate Posts: 2,460 Images: 2 TTP Friends: (2)	Re: Cannavaro wins FIFA Player of the Year Better yet, he is probably top 5 on his club side. He had a good World Cup though. __________________ "Put an egg in your shoe...and beat it". Last edited by Sir M; 12-19-2006 at 07:56 PM.

12-19-2006, 08:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
colemanj Member Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Summerland Posts: 294 TTP Friends: (1)	Re: Cannavaro wins FIFA Player of the Year Yes, the World Cup says it all, it had to be him or ... Grosso? Club football has to take second place this year. Sorry Ronaldinho. Definitely Zidane second, he carried France on his back through both the Brazil and Italy games -- regular time that is. A little slip cost him player of the year and likely more legendary status in the years to come.

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