Fabio Cannavaro became the first defender to be named FIFA World Player of the Year before collecting the award at the annual gala ceremony in Zurich on Monday.

World Player of the Year 2006 Fabio Cannavaro of Italy shows his trophy during the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich Dec. 18, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The accolade caps an outstanding year for the Italy and Real Madrid center-half, who captained his country to World Cup glory this summer.

Cannavaro, 33, received 498 votes from the panel of 165 international coaches and 165 international captains.

Retired France international Zinedine Zidane finished second with 454 while Brazil and Barcelona forward Ronaldinho was third with 380.

"It is unusual for a defender to be sitting alongside Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane, who do marvellous things all season, so I saw it as a victory just to be here," Cannavaro said.

"I think I have been very lucky this year because we won the World Cup and perhaps this has been very helpful for me to make it here tonight.

"The competition was scary, it was so strong. After winning the World Cup and the European Footballer of the Year award, I do not think I could ask for anything more."

The Women's World Player of the Year award was given to the Brazilian midfielder Marta, who plays in Sweden for Umea IK. U.S. captain Kristine Lilly collected the silver award and Germany's Renate Lingor took the bronze.

The Yashin award for the best goalkeeper of the World Cup was presented to Italy's Gianluigi Buffon.

Zidane did not go home empty-handed as he won the Adidas Golden Ball Award, which is presented to the outstanding player from the World Cup finals, while Germany's Miroslav Klose collected the Adidas Golden Shoe Award, presented to the leading marksman, having scored five goals in this summer's tournament.

The FIFA Presidential Award was given posthumously to former Italy defender Giacinto Facchetti, who died in September this year.

Facchetti, who spent his entire career with Internazionale, later became a member of the FIFA Football Committee.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet