Fabio Cannavaro, the anchor of Italy's World Cup winning side, was named Europe's top soccer player Monday.
The stalwart defender beat out Italian teammate, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, and French star striker Thierry Henry in voting for the Ballon d'Or, or Golden Ball.
Fabio Cannavaro is the third defender to win the Ballon d'Or.
(Francois Mori/Associated Press)
"It is late recognition for our World Cup victory," said Cannavaro, whose play on soccer's biggest stage was exemplary.
Cannavaro, who also plays for Real Madrid in Spain, is the first Italian to win the award since Roberto Baggio claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1993.
Italians Omar Sivori (1961), Gianni Rivera (1969), Paolo Rossi (1982) also won the award.
Cannavaro is just the third defender to win the award after Germans Franz Beckenbauer (1972, 1976) and Matthias Sammer in 1996.
“This is a double honour,” Cannavaro said. “It is given to the best player, and the fact I am a defender makes it even more special.”
Cannavaro played in the top Italian league last season, leading powerhouse Juventus to a second straight Serie A title. But he left for Spain earlier this year, after the Turin-based club was stripped of its title and demoted to Serie B amid allegations of match-fixing.
"Of course I will bring this trophy back to Madrid but I would also love to bring it to Turin," said Cannavaro.
"My season at Juventus was just outstanding."
Barcelona's Ronaldinho of Brazil won the award last year.
