2006 Ballon d'Or
The 2006 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to the Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro on 27 November 2006.[1] On 16 October 2006, was announced the shortlist of 50 male players compiled by a group of experts from France Football.[2] There were 52 voters, from Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales. Each picked a first (5pts), second (4pts), third (3pts), fourth (2pts) and fifth choice (1pt).[3]
| 2006 Ballon d'Or | |
|---|---|
 Cannavaro in 2017 | |
| Date | 27 November 2006 |
| Location | Paris, France |
| Country | France |
| Presented by | France Football |
| Highlights | |
| Won by |  Fabio Cannavaro (1st award) |
| Website | www |
Fabio Cannavaro is the most recent defender to have won the award as of 2023.
2006 Ballon d'Or Rankings
Voted players
Non-voted players
The following 24 men were originally in contention for the 2006 Ballon d’Or, but did not receive any votes:
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References
- BBC Sport staff (27 November 2006). "Cannavaro wins Euro player award". BBC Sport.
- Record staff (16 October 2006). "Ronaldo, Deco e Tiago na corrida pela «Bola de Ouro»" [Ronaldo, Deco and Tiago running for «Ballon D'or»]. Record (in Portuguese).
- Pierrend, José (3 January 2007). "European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 2006". RSSSF.