Cannavaro - World Soccer's Player of the Year
LONDON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Fabio Cannavaro, who skippered Italy to
victory at the World Cup, was named World Soccer's World Player of
the Year on Friday -- only the second defender to win the honour in
the awards' 25-year history.
The last defender to do so was compatriot Paolo Maldini in
1994.
Cannavaro's victory was one of the most comprehensive in the poll's
history as he collected 40 percent of the readers' vote conducted
annually by the influential British-based magazine.
He got three times as many votes as Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o
of Cameroon and Frenchman Thierry Henry of Arsenal, who finished
second and third respectively.
Cannavaro, who was named European Footballer of the Year last
month, is one of three candidates for the FIFA World Player of the
Year which will be announced on Monday.
Other award winners were Marcello Lippi of Italy, who was named
coach of the year while European champions Barcelona were named
World Team of the Year. Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina was
named Young Player of the Year.