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According to reports, Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro and Andrea Pirlo are the front-runners for the Ballon d’Or.

The European Player of the Year award is handed out every December by France Football magazine after votes are cast from journalists around the continent.

Ronaldinho is the current holder, although recent winners from Serie A have been Pavel Nedved of Juventus in 2003 and Milan’s Andriy Shevchenko in 2004.

Following Italy’s World Cup triumph in Germany this summer, several Azzurri are expected to have their candidacy put forward.

According to rumours emerging from the France Football offices, Buffon, Pirlo and Italy captain Cannavaro will all be in at least the top 10.

“It’s always good to receive recognition for the hard work you do and gives you a great feeling, but it must above all provide extra motivation to always improve,” said Milan midfielder Pirlo when told of this possibility.

Italian newspaper Tuttosport suggests that Pirlo is Italy’s best chance of victory, as the Ballon d’Or traditionally favours creative midfielders and forwards.

The only goalkeeper to have won this trophy was legendary Russian Lev Yashin in 1963, while Mathias Sammer was the last defender to be voted European Player of the Year in 1996.

Cannavaro’s difficulties in adapting to life with Real Madrid in La Liga and the fact Buffon is now playing in Serie B with Juventus could also favour Pirlo.


Football Italia
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damn straight, he's been fantastic this year . oh but i wouldn't choose between him and Kaka

yes Ricky has been amazing as well ... he was definetely the best with Brazil and was just as good with Milan !!

He's worth it just for that goal against Argentina some weeks ago ... and for making me like Brazil NT this little bit !!

I really couldn't choose between those two ... too bad Rino would never be given that prize !! He deserves to be among the best voted IMO

For the World Cup... Cannavaro or Pirlo.

Agree with Portugal....Kaka couldn't do much in the WC...

I think he (Kaka') did a lot in the WC ... he's the only one that tried and with 10 players around him just walking around I don't think anyone would do much more !!

I'm not speaking relative to his team mates. I'd say Ballack had a more succesful WC than Kaka...in any case even for Brazil, it was Juan who caught my eye to be honest , I didn't really see much of Kaka in the WC(mainly coz I missed quite a few Brazil matches)...but against France he was really nowhere to cause any impact....so was the team true and Juninho did eat up space...but then again....

I would vote for Pirlo. But of cource I don't mind if Kaka would win it.

owww my God, I really would love to give it to Pirlo. He's been the hero for Italy and for Milan. He doesn't score a lot bur he gives A LOT to the team.
Go PIRLO - Ballon d'Or winner.

Nice, it would be something special if Pirlo wins it. I think one beteewn him and Ricky should be the winner. I would never pick Cannavaro, cause as I've said time ago, if Maldini couldn't manage to win it in 1994 or 2003, why should Cannavaro now?

Yea .. I even doubt it, Cannavaro isnt at his best lately, so I dont think he has a chance against Pirlo, though I think Kaka is the most lively player outthere since I can remember; he is the ONLY consistent player I'v seen from last season till now. It's like magic when he plays.

I don't think the tha ballon d'or woulg go to cannavaro, they know that if a defender should recived that award was maldini... so in this case i think that pirlo has the chance to win it, he had an incredible performance on th WC, but i think that also they take the achievements of the team on the votation.. a im wrong ???

No ur right .. I dont think it is achievment as much as helping the team under any circumstances .. Still if it's an achievment they are looking for, the WC is the biggest, IMO.

but i think rossoneri that the achievements goes to club level, not to national squad, but i dunno, but bottom line , i that i would like pirlo to win the ballon d'or