The Ballon d’Or Rankings 2006 remain one of the most memorable lists in football history.
In a year featuring a very strong defensive display, the award broke the pattern of attackers dominating the top spot.
Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian defender, rose above global superstars to claim the prize.
This article digs into who won, why, and who else made the top rankings that year.
Who Was Crowned Ballon d’Or 2006?
In 2006, the Ballon d’Or went to Fabio Cannavaro. It was a surprising but widely celebrated result.
Cannavaro, playing for Juventus at the time (later moved to Real Madrid), was recognized for his leadership in defense and his role in guiding Italy to the 2006 FIFA World Cup victory.
What made this win special was that Cannavaro became one of the very few defenders in modern times to win the award — in most years, the Ballon d’Or goes to forwards or midfielders.
Fabio Cannavaro — Ballon d’Or Winner 2006: Why He Deserved It
World Cup 2006 Performance: Cannavaro captained Italy to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
His defensive performances throughout the tournament — often facing some of the best attacking players in the world — were key.
He was named Player of the Tournament by many pundits.
Consistency & Leadership: Throughout 2006, both with Juventus and with the national team, Cannavaro showed discipline, positioning, speed, tackling, aerial strength, and organizational ability.
He was a leader in the backline — something that stats alone don’t always capture.
Rarity for a Defender: The Ballon d’Or rarely awards defenders.
Cannavaro’s win shattered expectations, showing that a defender’s contribution, especially in big tournaments, can eclipse flashy attacking numbers.
Ballon d’Or Rankings 2006: Top 10 Players
Here are the Ballon d’Or Rankings 2006 Top 10 — who finished among the best that year, as per votes.
| Rank | Player | Club(s) in 2006 | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fabio Cannavaro | Juventus / Real Madrid | Italy | 173 |
| 2 | Gianluigi Buffon | Juventus | Italy | 124 |
| 3 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | France | 121 |
| 4 | Ronaldinho | Barcelona | Brazil | 73 |
| 5 | Zinedine Zidane | Real Madrid | France | 71 |
| 6 | Samuel Eto’o | Barcelona | Cameroon | 67 |
| 7 | Miroslav Klose | Werder Bremen | Germany | 29 |
| 8 | Didier Drogba | Chelsea | Côte d’Ivoire | 25 |
| 9 | Andrea Pirlo | Milan | Italy | 17 |
| 10 | Jens Lehmann | Arsenal | Germany | 13 |
Additional Notes on Ballon d’Or Rankings 2006
- Narrow margins: Buffon came in second, very close in votes to Henry who was third. This demonstrates that the voting was competitive.
- Defensive excellence rewarded: Cannavaro’s win is often cited in football media as evidence that strong defensive displays (especially in major tournaments) do get recognized if the performances are exceptional.
- Famous names also high: Legendary players like Zidane, Ronaldinho, and Henry still featured near the top, showing that even in a “defender’s year,” stars aren’t ignored.
- The long-tail of the list: Beyond the top 10, there were many big names nominated (Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, etc.) who got lesser votes, showing the global breadth of recognition.
The Ballon d’Or Rankings 2006 remains fascinating not just for who won, but for the context — a defender standing tall in a world usually obsessed with goals and flair.
Fabio Cannavaro’s achievement continues to resonate as proof that leadership, consistency, and defensive craftsmanship can outrank the glamour.
For fans of football history, 2006 is a reminder: sometimes the most memorable performances happen not in scoring, but in stopping.
