Italy's World Cup-winning defender Fabio Cannavaro has been named the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year on Monday for the first time in his career. The Real Madrid defender claimed the award after beating off competition from former France playmaker Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho in a vote by national team coaches and skippers. Cannavaro received 498 votes ahead of 454 for Zidane while Ronaldinho had 380 votes. The 33-year-old is the first defender in history to claim the award to complete a perfect year for him as he has been voted the European player of the Year by France Football magazine last month. "The competition was scary, it was so strong," he said at the ceremony that was held in Zurich's opera house. "After winning the World Cup and the European Footballer of the Year award too, I do not think I can ask for anything else."
Cannavaro,Ronaldinho and Zidane Cannavaro formed a solid obstacle in the heart of Italy's defense to lead his country to their fourth World Cup title. He won the Serie A title with Juventus, who were later stripped of the title and demoted to second division for their part in the match-fixing scandal, before joining Spanish giants Real Madrid. Although Zidane was sent-off in the WC final after head-butting Marco Materazzi in an infamous incident, he was nominated and finished as runner-up. Zidane holds a joint-record with Brazilian striker Ronaldo as both of them won the award three times before. Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho came third after guiding his side to Primera Liga and UEFA Champions League glories but produced a disappointing show at the WC.
