World Cup Corner

Fabio Cannavaro and Marta were named FIFA World Player and FIFA Women’s World Player for the year 2006, following a poll of national coaches and captains.

Canavaro collected 498 points in the vote, in which 165 national coaches and 165 national team captains took part. France’s Zinedine Zidane (454), FIFA Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003, was second. Last year’s winner Ronaldinho (380), who has already triumphed twice, came in third.

Among the women, 20-year-old Marta, with 475 points, recorded a win over, Kristine Lilly (388) from the USA and Renate Lingor (305) from Germany.

Cannavaro and Marta were crowned at the end of the star-studded evening at the 16th FIFA World Player Gala in the Zurich Opera House. The Italian was taking part in a FIFA World Player Gala for the first time ever, whereas the Brazilian was putting in her third successive appearance, after coming second in 2005 and third in 2004.