Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid):Canna named Gay Icon!!

[Jager]

Cannavaro 'wins' Golden Ball
Thursday 16 November, 2006
Italy and Real Madrid stopper Fabio Cannavaro has won the 2006 Golden Ball, reports in Spain are insisting.

The defender was already heavily associated with the honour earlier this week and more stories this evening are suggesting that the World Cup winner has beaten Gigi Buffon to the award.

It’s alleged that Cannavaro returned to Madrid following last night’s match against Turkey to find a telephone message from the France Football organisers informing him of his victory.

It’s understood that a photographer and a journalist from the magazine are already on their way to the Spanish capital to make a start on their annual feature.

Although there will be no official announcement until November 27, it seems that the Napoli-native will become the first Italian since Roberto Baggio in 1993 to net the honour.

The last 12 months have been unforgettable for the former Parma and Inter man-marker given the success he has achieved.

He won the Scudetto with Juventus before it was revoked, he led his country to World Cup glory and then sealed a career changing move to Real Madrid.

“It’s been a marvellous year, one full of success and triumph,” the 33-year-old has stated. “Winning the Golden Ball would be a dream come true.”

Cannavaro would also become only the third defender to be awarded the title after Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/nov16p.html


...not confirmed yet.

[LAF]

Aslong as it's either Fabio or Gigi I'll be happy.

[Oliver_Kahn]

If it's true, it is deserved.

[azzurri]

Splitting hairs between Gigi and Canna. Either way, an Italian will win, which is the good thing. Should go a long way to shutting up critiques of Italian football, when the top contenders are Italian.

[JD]

the main criticism of italian football (not one I'm necessarily advocating)
is that its boring and defensive
a centreback or keeper winning a best player award hardly blows that out of the water

[azzurri]

Im proud of that. Italy has always produced the best defenders. The style of football in Italy facilitates such excellence, and as shown on the International stage, it pays off.

I was referring to all the implications highlighted by the scandal. The media had a feast ripping apart the game. Italian football has always been strong from a talent point of view, its just the administrative aspects which plagued (and contine to) the game. During the world cup, media of all sorts mixed the 2 together. They were obviously wrong.

As a friend mentioned to me earlier today, if Cannavaro would have rightly receieved the player of the tournament award (fuck yourself Blatter), Gigi would have won the golden ball.

[LAF]

Originally Posted by JD

the main criticism of italian football (not one I'm necessarily advocating)
is that its boring and defensive
a centreback or keeper winning a best player award hardly blows that out of the water

You're right.

I find that around the world the Italian offensive players (Totti, Del Piero, Gilardino) are all underrated by most. Where as the defensive players (Nesta, Maldini, Canna, Gattuso) all get praised to the heavens.

[azzurri]

Only for the UK, cause there media is to busy hyping up english players like Terry. Everywhere else these players are regarded highly (if they watch calcio).

- 06: Cannavaro or Gigi
- 03: Nedved
- 98: Zidane
- 93: Baggio

Not bad for Juve eh. 4 golden ball players in 16 years. Thats more than any other team of the last 16 years.

Last 16 years (starting in 1990), Italian teams have won 8 of the 16 Golden balls. Thats more than any other league. Boring and dull, pssh.

[CantonaStillGod]

Originally Posted by JD

the main criticism of italian football (not one I'm necessarily advocating)
is that its boring and defensive
a centreback or keeper winning a best player award hardly blows that out of the water

yeah but that's because they find defensive dull, watching an absolute class defender defend against world class front men, like Cannavaro and Materazzi did once or twice in that world cup, notably for Materazzi in the final and Cannavaro against Germany, is something I fucking love to see. Maldini is of course the ultimate example and I would vote for him to win this shite piece of meaningless tack every year because it's an utter travesty that he never has, one that turns the whole thing into the utter joke that it is. On this occasion I'd rather see a goalkeeper win it if it's such a straight choice as this.

[CantonaStillGod]

Originally Posted by azzurri

Only for the UK, cause there media is to busy hyping up english players like Terry. Everywhere else these players are regarded highly (if they watch calcio).

- 06: Cannavaro or Gigi
- 03: Nedved
- 98: Zidane
- 93: Baggio

Not bad for Juve eh. 4 golden ball players in 16 years. Thats more than any other team of the last 16 years.

And the reason that you only go back 16 years is because in 87, 88 and 89 Milan players won it? Which would mean over the past 19 years they've had the most ballon d'ors. But who gives a flying fuck so why would you bother?

[azzurri]

If Gigi doesn't win, another goalie wont get his close for a very long time.

Agree about Maldini. 1 of the best the world has ever seen. The others r Italian naturally.

[azzurri]

Originally Posted by CantonaStillGod

And the reason that you only go back 16 years is because in 87, 88 and 89 Milan players won it? Which would mean over the past 19 years they've had the most ballon d'ors. But who gives a flying fuck so why would you bother?

Alright CantonaStillClueless, lets go back to the 80's.

1985: Michel Platini - Juventus F.C.
1984: Michel Platini - Juventus F.C.
1983: Michel Platini - Juventus F.C.
1982: Paolo Rossi - Juventus F.C.

Juve still has the most.

Once again, you're left looking like a complete moron. I think that overtakes your Puyol comment in stupidity. You're on a role.

[Jager]

Is it necessary to turn this into a Juve versus the world thread?? Big teams get the best players. Not suprising at all.

As for Italian offensive players being underrated...I couldn't agree more. Only Argentina and Brazil can produce them like Italy.

Italians mature much later, as in Italy we preach the technical aspect of the game at a very young age. You must get positioning and tactics down pat first, then the flare is allowed to blossum.

Hence the reason players like Grosso and Toni develop late. Who knows who the next stars will be, but they will be there, make no mistake.

Canna or Gigi are great, however I would give it to Canna, just for his WC performance, simply amazing.


For the record, I remember Platini at Juve, he really was on a whole another level. Still remains the only frenchmen I have respect for as a player.

[JD]

Juve, AC, Real and Barca get ridiculous favouritism in these awards
as do offensive as opposed to defensive players

[LAF]

Originally Posted by azzurri

Only for the UK, cause there media is to busy hyping up english players like Terry. Everywhere else these players are regarded highly (if they watch calcio).

- 06: Cannavaro or Gigi
- 03: Nedved
- 98: Zidane
- 93: Baggio

Not bad for Juve eh. 4 golden ball players in 16 years. Thats more than any other team of the last 16 years.

Last 16 years (starting in 1990), Italian teams have won 8 of the 16 Golden balls. Thats more than any other league. Boring and dull, pssh.

My point was that Italian offensive players don't get the respect. On that list only Baggio has been given the honour (a forward).

Originally Posted by Jager

Is it necessary to turn this into a Juve versus the world thread?? Big teams get the best players. Not suprising at all.

As for Italian offensive players being underrated...I couldn't agree more. Only Argentina and Brazil can produce them like Italy.

Italians mature much later, as in Italy we preach the technical aspect of the game at a very young age. You must get positioning and tactics down pat first, then the flare is allowed to blossum.

Hence the reason players like Grosso and Toni develop late. Who knows who the next stars will be, but they will be there, make no mistake.

Canna or Gigi are great, however I would give it to Canna, just for his WC performance, simply amazing.


For the record, I remember Platini at Juve, he really was on a whole another level. Still remains the only frenchmen I have respect for as a player.

The fact Del Piero has not won WPOTY or EPOTY sums it up really.