• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Fabio Cannavaro Holds Bizarre Ballon d'Or Record Ronaldo and Messi Never Could

Home> Football> Football News

Published 06:00 21 Oct 2025 GMT+1

Fabio Cannavaro Holds Bizarre Ballon d'Or Record Ronaldo and Messi Never Could

The legendary Italian defender won the Ballon d'Or in 2006.

James Taylor

James Taylor

Fabio Cannavaro holds a strange Ballon d'Or Record that even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could never achieve.

The defender spent most of his career in Italy, playing for Napoli, Inter Milan and Juventus, before moving to Real Madrid.

His greatest moment came in 2006, when he captained Italy to World Cup glory.

Italy conceded just two goals across the whole tournament, keeping five clean sheets, as they defeated France in the final.

Advert

That year Cannavaro lifted the Ballon d'Or, becoming only the third defender in history to do so after Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer.

Since then, the trophy has been dominated by Ronaldo and Messi, who, between them, have won the prize 13 times.

But Cannavaro holds a unique record, as the only player to ever win the Ballon d'Or in the same season where his club were relegated.

Fabio Cannavaro lifting the 2006 World Cup with Italy. (Image: Richard Sellers/Allstar / Contributor via Getty)
Fabio Cannavaro lifting the 2006 World Cup with Italy. (Image: Richard Sellers/Allstar / Contributor via Getty)

Juventus won two consecutive league titles in 2005 and 2006, but they were stripped of them and relegated to Serie B following the Calciopoli scandal.

Some players, including Gianluigi Buffon, stayed to guide Juventus back to the top flight, but many, including Cannavaro, departed.

He joined Real Madrid for €7 million and spent three seasons in the Spanish capital, winning two La Liga titles during that time.

After three years, he returned to Juventus on a free contract, but his second spell lasted only one season.

Cannavaro is one of several high-profile players, including Zinedine Zidane, Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata, to have played for both Juventus and Real Madrid.

Cannavaro during his Real Madrid days in 2006. (Image: Etsuo Hara / Contributor via Getty)
Cannavaro during his Real Madrid days in 2006. (Image: Etsuo Hara / Contributor via Getty)

Those clubs will meet on Wednesday, October 22, at the Santiago Bernabeu in the UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid have made a strong start in the competition, beating Marseille 2-1, before thrashing Kairat Almaty 5-0.

Juventus, meanwhile, are winless, following up a 4-4 draw with Borussia Dortmund, with a 2-2 against Villareal.

Real Madrid will be strong favourites, particularly with Kylian Mbappe continuing his outstanding form with another goal in Sunday's 1-0 win over Getafe.

The Frenchman has now scored 10 league goals in the opening nine games, becoming the first Real Madrid player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014/15.

Mbappe has also been devastating in Europe, scoring a brace against Marseille before bagging a hat trick in Kazakhstan.

The task of stopping Mbappe will likely fall to Daniele Rugani and the former Bournemouth and Newcastle defender Lloyd Kelly.

Igor Tudor's side fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat over the weekend against Como.

Although Juventus executives have said they will keep faith with Tudor, he is under pressure and a result against Madrid could be vital for his future.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Ballon d'Or, Football, Real Madrid, Juventus, Football News

James Taylor
James Taylor

James is a sports journalist who specialises in football and Formula 1. He has written for publications such as The Times, MailSport, Sunday Express, Sunday Star and Manchester Evening News. Throughout his career, he has interviewed international footballers and rising Olympic stars. In his spare time, he has the misfortune of being a season ticket holder at Manchester United.

X

@James_Taylor_02

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Salah And Fernandes on List of 50 'Summer Targets' For Saudi Pro League

    The Saudi Pro League is preparing fresh moves to sign Europe's top talent next summer.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Top 20 Ranking of Richest Football Clubs in 2006 Compared to Now is Fascinating

    The 29th edition of the Deloitte Football Money League has been published.

    Football
  • TNT Sports
    10 hours ago

    Elliot Anderson Shown Straight Red Card in Moment That Has Baffled Fans

    Anderson was sent off in the final minutes of Nottingham Forest's Europa League defeat against Braga.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    11 hours ago

    Vinnie Jones Admits 'Monster' Opponent Was Tougher Than Him During His Career

    Jones was asked if he was "harder" than a selection of football's toughest-ever players.

    Football
  • Why Kylian Mbappe Can't Drive New BMW Car He's Been Gifted by Real Madrid
  • Liverpool Handed Marc Guehi Blow as Exit Confirmed With Three Clubs 'Front-Runners'
  • Every player who would've won the Ballon d'Or if Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never existed
  • Former national captain claims his Ballon d'Or votes were changed to support Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo