French Zinedine Zidane reacts after missing a shot during the World Cup 2006 final match between Italy and France in Berlin, Germany, July 9, 2006. France lost to Italy 4-6 after the penalty shootout. (Xinhua Photo) |
BERLIN, July 10 (Xinhua) -- France captain Zinedine Zidane won the Golden Ball award for the World Cup's best player, despite being dismissed for head butting Marco Materazzi in the final.
He polled 2,012 points in the vote by journalists mostly carried out at half-time.
Behind "Zizou" came Italy's defensive rock Fabio Cannavaro (1,977 points), with the Juventus defender's Azzurri team-mate Andrea Pirlo completing the podium (715 points).
In the Final against Italy, the French midfielder, 34, scored apenalty early but was unable to pick up the second FIFA World Cup winners medal of a glittering career and was sent from the field for butting Materazzi in the chest. His team went on to lose on penalties (3-5).
Other players on the Golden Ball shortlist included Maniche (Portugal), Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Thierry Henry (France), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Patrick Vieira (France) and Miroslav Klose (Germany).
Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn won the prestigious award in 2002, while other previous winners include Brazilians Ronaldo (1998) and Romario (1994), Italy's Salvatore Schillaci (1990) and Argentine great Diego Maradona. Enditem
Winners of FIFA Golden Ball award
BERLIN, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Following are the winners of the FIFA Golden Ball award for most outstanding player at the World Cup finals:
2006: Zinedine Zidane (France)
2002: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
1998: Ronaldo (Brazil)
1994: Romario (Brazil)
1990: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
1986: Diego Maradona (Argentina)Enditem
France's Zinedine Zidane (L) vies with Italy's Gennaro Gattuso during the World Cup final in Berlin, capital city of Germany on July 9, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) |
