Fabio Cannavaro, whose official web site is powered by Goal.com, will be named the winner of the Golden Ball (Ballon d'Or) as Europe's top footballer. The announcement will be made official on November 27.
The Real Madrid defender took the world by storm over the summer at the World Cup, where he led a staunch Italian defense that was the backbone to Italy's World Cup triumph in Germany.
Thierry Henry had emerged as an early frontrunner for the honor during the tabulation of journalists' votes, per a Goal.com report last week, but Cannavaro, who played last season with Juventus, overtook the Frenchman, who finished third, and Azzurri and former Juve teammate Gianluigi Buffon, who finished second, for the honor. Barcelona's Ronaldinho won the award last year.
By winning the award, Cannavaro becomes the first Italian to be so honored since Roberto Baggio won it 1993.
In addition to Cannavaro and Baggio, three other Italians have won the Ballon d'Or: Omar Sivori (1961), Gianni Rivera (1969), and Paolo Rossi (1982).
The Real Madrid defender took the world by storm over the summer at the World Cup, where he led a staunch Italian defense that was the backbone to Italy's World Cup triumph in Germany.
Thierry Henry had emerged as an early frontrunner for the honor during the tabulation of journalists' votes, per a Goal.com report last week, but Cannavaro, who played last season with Juventus, overtook the Frenchman, who finished third, and Azzurri and former Juve teammate Gianluigi Buffon, who finished second, for the honor. Barcelona's Ronaldinho won the award last year.
By winning the award, Cannavaro becomes the first Italian to be so honored since Roberto Baggio won it 1993.
In addition to Cannavaro and Baggio, three other Italians have won the Ballon d'Or: Omar Sivori (1961), Gianni Rivera (1969), and Paolo Rossi (1982).
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