Cannavaro collects the Golden Ball

Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro recieved the Ballon d'Or or Golden Ball award Monday in Paris. It is awarded annually by UEFA for the Player of the Year. Cannavaro was second in the Golden Ball voting to Zinedine Zidane during the World Cup and some have complained (see the French) that he should not have won this award either. But that is another story.

Cannavaro, shown with Italian actress and girlfriend Monica Bellucci, is the fourth Italian player to win the award joining Gianni Rivera, Paolo Rossi and Roberto Baggio.

Cannavaro wins

Cannavaro joins other Azzuri