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Canna to get the Golden Ball?

November 19th, 2006 | By: Jay | 23 Comments »

Reports everywhere are that Fabio Cannavaro will hoist the Ballon D’Or when its announced on November 27th. These things are always fun to debate, but for me this year its simple: he was the captain on a World Cup winning side and the bedrock of the Italian defense. Arsene Wenger can lobby for Thierry Henry all he wants (and its a solid case) but at the end of the day you’re judged by the hardware you win, and Henry won nothing.

I for one am glad to see the trophy go to a defender (its been ten years since Sammer won it, in case you’re wondering). Cannavaro, need we remind anybody, reads the game like a master and has fantastic instincts. Its good to see that type of thing get rewarded as the game is far more than just scoring pretty goals.

Tags: Azzurri, Fabio Cannavaro, Italy

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Comments

By john | November 20th, 2006 at 11:15 am

Who else but Fabio should Win? No Brainer.

By Chico | November 20th, 2006 at 11:52 am

Me thinks Camorenesi should winner be. HE was pathetic in cup od WOrlds. TIny figure with face of ugly proportions. Looks similar to Italian men of majority. Ugly ugly.

Posted from Canada

By Lucy | November 20th, 2006 at 8:45 pm

Cannavaro should definatley win

Posted from Australia

By Catherine | November 21st, 2006 at 3:15 am

Chico

Camorenesi is originally from Argentina.

You are a loser.

Cannavaro should win. If not Buffon. Anything else doesnt make sense.

Posted from Canada

By Muddia Beduddia | November 21st, 2006 at 7:15 am

I agree Catherine, but I just get this creeping suspicion that these stories leak, first Buffon then Canna, and in the end they will never give it to an Italian. They will find some to give it to Henry.

BTW, though Camo is Argentinian, his family is clearly from Italy as many Italians settled in South America, mostly Argentina, after the war. I have Italian family in Brazil.

Posted from United States

By Chico | November 21st, 2006 at 7:50 am

ME have 4 stars tatooed on ass of hairs.

Posted from Canada

By Chico | November 21st, 2006 at 8:47 am

ME have small genitals, so jelous of italian male

Posted from Canada

By lulu | November 22nd, 2006 at 6:35 am

Chico, you are a loser, maybe you should learn how to write and speak english and you only wish you were as goodlooking as us Italians!

Posted from Canada

By Chico | November 22nd, 2006 at 9:06 am

ME ass of hairs is similar to face of italian men. Both are dirty and smelly also.

Posted from Canada

By lulu | November 22nd, 2006 at 9:24 am

what nationality are you Chico, you sound pretty dumb and greasy

Posted from Canada

By Lucy | November 22nd, 2006 at 7:06 pm

I know they wont give it to the Italian…. they will give it to Herny and if they are brave enough Zidane which is stupid they dont deserve it Cannavaro does or buffon even Pirlo

Posted from Australia

By Chico | November 23rd, 2006 at 2:36 am

ME greasy and smelly and have no job but take it out on Italian

Posted from Canada

By Chico | November 23rd, 2006 at 3:07 am

ME dum cause mom and dad cousins me born with extra chromosome

Posted from Canada

By Mike | November 23rd, 2006 at 8:22 am

Hey Lucy I agree that Canna probably does deserve the award. But suggesting Pirlo deserves to be the player of the year is beyond silly it is ridiculous. I realize you are just playing favs.

Posted from Canada

By Lucy | November 23rd, 2006 at 11:11 pm

No im really not did you see how he played at the world cup?

Posted from Australia

By Mike | November 24th, 2006 at 6:10 am

Yes of course, He played a couple of solid games, he scored a nice not fantstic goal to win the semi. That however does not make hima contender for player of the year. If that is the criteria to be considered we would have about 3000 players inthe running for the award. I like Pirlo too be I know his abilities and they are nothing close to the top players.

Posted from Canada

By Lucy | November 25th, 2006 at 11:16 am

Im sorry Mike but Pirlo is hard working and constantly consistent he holds the mid field together lets just agree to dissagree. Im not suggesting that he is better than other players because i think the only player over everyone to win should be cannavaro. If Zidane gets is it will be a joke.

Posted from Australia

By Mike | November 26th, 2006 at 9:32 am

Agreed.

1. Cannavaro
2. Henry
3. Zidane
4. Ballack
5. Van Persie

76. Pirlo

Posted from Canada

By Lang | November 26th, 2006 at 4:16 pm

Mike,

Not so sure that Van Persie and Ballack deserve to be ahead of Pirlo here, let alone so far ahead. Pirlo was in fine form both in the World Cup and early in the season for AC Milan. He is a maestro in dead ball situations, scoring on them, I believe, 5 times last season in Serie A.

Defensive centre mid can be a rather thankless position, and yet Pirlo does it with class and verve. Name me some defensive centre mids at the Cup who played better. Makelele was fine, not better. Hargreaves had a decent game or two, certainly not better.

On another note, Henry chokes in the big games. Oustide the EPL, which, in my opinion, represents terrible soccer, Henry fails to deliver.

Posted from United States

By Mike | November 27th, 2006 at 9:52 am

ALthough now retired from international play Cocu played an excellent tournament. HE held together a very suspect Defence for Holland and yet contributed offensively as well.

Posted from Canada

By Mike | November 27th, 2006 at 9:54 am

DOnt get me wrong about Pirlo, I like the guy and respect his talents yet he is not a “player of the year” caliber footballer. People want style and finesse in their player of the year thats why Van P and Ballack rank alot higher.

Posted from Canada

By Lucy | November 27th, 2006 at 8:55 pm

Thats because there is more hype about the English Premier League… Dont get me wrong i like Ballack and VAn Persie but their style of play is different to that of Pirlo… But really who cares as Cannavaro won