This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/europe/6181070.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cannavaro wins Euro player award Cannavaro wins Euro player award
(40 minutes later)
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been named European Footballer of the Year by France Football magazine.Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been named European Footballer of the Year by France Football magazine.
The 33-year-old Real Madrid defender, who captained Italy to victory at the World Cup in Germany, becomes one of the few defenders to win the prize.The 33-year-old Real Madrid defender, who captained Italy to victory at the World Cup in Germany, becomes one of the few defenders to win the prize.
Cannavaro won the honour with 173 points, ahead of Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon (124) of Italy and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry (121).Cannavaro won the honour with 173 points, ahead of Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon (124) of Italy and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry (121).
The Ballon d'Or award is based on a vote by European football journalists.The Ballon d'Or award is based on a vote by European football journalists.
France midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who retired after reaching the World Cup finals, was placed fifth with 71 points.France midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who retired after reaching the World Cup finals, was placed fifth with 71 points.
Last year's European Footballer award went to Barcelona's Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho, who finished fourth this time around.Last year's European Footballer award went to Barcelona's Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho, who finished fourth this time around.
It has a double importance because it's given to the greatest players and as a defender it's rare to have this honour Fabio CannavaroIt has a double importance because it's given to the greatest players and as a defender it's rare to have this honour Fabio Cannavaro
Cannavaro is the fifth Italian to win the award after Omar Sivori (1961), Gianni Rivera (1969), Paolo Rossi (1982) and Roberto Baggio (1993).Cannavaro is the fifth Italian to win the award after Omar Sivori (1961), Gianni Rivera (1969), Paolo Rossi (1982) and Roberto Baggio (1993).
He also revealed that the award had extra significance as he became the first defender to win since Germany's Mathias Sammer in 1996.He also revealed that the award had extra significance as he became the first defender to win since Germany's Mathias Sammer in 1996.
2006 BALLON D'OR RESULTS 1. Fabio Cannavaro (Real)2. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)3. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)4. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)5. Zinedine Zidane (retired) "It has a double importance because it's given to the greatest players and as a defender it's rare to have this honour," said the delighted Neapolitan.2006 BALLON D'OR RESULTS 1. Fabio Cannavaro (Real)2. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)3. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)4. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)5. Zinedine Zidane (retired) "It has a double importance because it's given to the greatest players and as a defender it's rare to have this honour," said the delighted Neapolitan.
"The World Cup in Germany was perfect for a defender. I remember in particular the semi-final against Germany.""The World Cup in Germany was perfect for a defender. I remember in particular the semi-final against Germany."
Capped 105 times for his country, the Real Madrid defender was one of seven nominated players from the Italian team that captured its fourth World Cup title.Capped 105 times for his country, the Real Madrid defender was one of seven nominated players from the Italian team that captured its fourth World Cup title.
In domestic football, Cannavaro clinched victory in Serie A with Juventus over the last two seasons before his previous club side were stripped of those titles and demoted to the second division after being found guilty of match fixing.In domestic football, Cannavaro clinched victory in Serie A with Juventus over the last two seasons before his previous club side were stripped of those titles and demoted to the second division after being found guilty of match fixing.
"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," Cannavaro added."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," Cannavaro added.
"Many people analysed my season with Juve in 2005 for this vote. In that season I played 37 matches and scored four crucial goals.""Many people analysed my season with Juve in 2005 for this vote. In that season I played 37 matches and scored four crucial goals."
606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on this selection
Previous winners of the Ballon D'Or:Previous winners of the Ballon D'Or:
1956 - Stanley Matthews1957 - Alfredo Di Stefano1958 - Raymond Kopa 1959 - Alfredo Di Stefano 1960 - Luis Suarez 1961 - Omar Sivori 1962 - Josef Masopust 1963 - Lev Yashin 1964 - Denis Law 1965 - Eusebio 1966 - Bobby Charlton 1967 - Florian Albert 1968 - George Best 1969 - Gianni Rivera 1970 - Gerd Muller 1971 - Johan Cruyff 1972 - Franz Beckenbauer 1973 - Johan Cruyff 1974 - Johan Cruyff 1975 - Oleg Blokhin 1976 - Franz Beckenbauer 1977 - Alan Simonsen 1978 - Kevin Keegan 1979 - Kevin Keegan 1980 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 1981 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 1982 - Paolo Rossi 1983 - Michel Platini 1984 - Michel Platini 1985 - Michel Platini 1986 - Igor Belanov 1987 - Ruud Gullit 1988 - Marco Van Basten 1989 - Marco Van Basten 1990 - Lothar Matthaus 1991 - Jean-Pierre Papin 1992 - Marco Van Basten 1993 - Roberto Baggio 1994 - Hristo Stoichkov 1995 - George Weah 1996 - Matthias Sammer 1997 - Ronaldo 1998 - Zinedine Zidane 1999 - Rivaldo 2000 - Luis Figo 2001 - Michael Owen 2002 - Ronaldo 2003 - Pavel Nedved 2004 - Andrei Shevchenko2005 - Ronaldinho2006 - Fabio Cannavaro1956 - Stanley Matthews1957 - Alfredo Di Stefano1958 - Raymond Kopa 1959 - Alfredo Di Stefano 1960 - Luis Suarez 1961 - Omar Sivori 1962 - Josef Masopust 1963 - Lev Yashin 1964 - Denis Law 1965 - Eusebio 1966 - Bobby Charlton 1967 - Florian Albert 1968 - George Best 1969 - Gianni Rivera 1970 - Gerd Muller 1971 - Johan Cruyff 1972 - Franz Beckenbauer 1973 - Johan Cruyff 1974 - Johan Cruyff 1975 - Oleg Blokhin 1976 - Franz Beckenbauer 1977 - Alan Simonsen 1978 - Kevin Keegan 1979 - Kevin Keegan 1980 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 1981 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 1982 - Paolo Rossi 1983 - Michel Platini 1984 - Michel Platini 1985 - Michel Platini 1986 - Igor Belanov 1987 - Ruud Gullit 1988 - Marco Van Basten 1989 - Marco Van Basten 1990 - Lothar Matthaus 1991 - Jean-Pierre Papin 1992 - Marco Van Basten 1993 - Roberto Baggio 1994 - Hristo Stoichkov 1995 - George Weah 1996 - Matthias Sammer 1997 - Ronaldo 1998 - Zinedine Zidane 1999 - Rivaldo 2000 - Luis Figo 2001 - Michael Owen 2002 - Ronaldo 2003 - Pavel Nedved 2004 - Andrei Shevchenko2005 - Ronaldinho2006 - Fabio Cannavaro