Italy's World Cup captain Fabio Cannavaro was named 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year on Monday, capping off a story-book year for the player. Cannavaro is the first defender to win the honor in the 16-year history of the award, and he is the second Italian to be named.

Cannavaro (498 total points) beat out France's Zinedine Zidane (454) and Barcelona's Brazilian ace Ronaldinho (380). Thierry Henry finished fourth, and Samuel Eto'o finished fifth in the voting by national team coaches and international captains.

Last month Cannavaro won the Golden Ball (Ballon d'Or) as the top footballer in Europe, and in July, of course, the Real Madrid man lifted the World Cup in Germany.

FIFA World Player of the Year Winners

Year Player Country
2006 Fabio Cannavaro Italy
2005 Ronaldinho Brazil
2004 Ronaldinho Brazil
2003 Zinedine Zidane France
2002 Ronaldo Brazil
2001 Luis Figo Portugal
2000 Zinedine Zidane France
1999 Rivaldo Brazil
1998 Zinedine Zidane France
1997 Ronaldo Brazil
1996 Ronaldo Brazil
1995 George Weah Liberia
1994 Romario Brazil
1993 Roberto Baggio Italy
1992 Marco van Basten Netherlands
1991 Lothar Matthäus Germany

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