For football history, plenty people dey think say only players wey dey score goals fit win Ballon d’Or. Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski… dem all dey known for their scoring ability.
But for 2006, one defender show say e no always need goal to collect di biggest individual award.
Fabio Cannavaro: Pure Defender Energy
Fabio Cannavaro, Italian centre-back, na di guy wey carry Italy defence that time. For Juventus club season, e no score any goal. Zero. Zip. Nada. Na same year e lead Italy win World Cup for Germany. E display pure defensive mastery wey everybody dey respect.
Why E Win Ballon d’Or
Di award committee see say Cannavaro no be only defender wey dey solid; e dey disciplined, e dey read game well, and e fit organise whole defence line. E leadership for pitch dey top. Italy defensive performance for 2006 World Cup na wetin carry am come top for di individual ranking. E show say clean defending fit make player legendary.
Zero Goals, Maximum Respect
Imagine am: whole season for Juventus, zero goals. World Cup performance dey iconic. And yet, e collect Ballon d’Or. Di lesson clear: for football, greatness no always dey inside goals. Discipline, intelligence, leadership, timing, positioning, na wetin make defender like Cannavaro shine pass.
Legacy of Cannavaro
Even today, plenty defenders dey look up to Cannavaro. E teach di world say defensive excellence fit dey as respected as scoring prowess. Na one of di few defenders wey don win Ballon d’Or, and e do am without scoring any single goal for dat club season. Na real legendary status.
Conclusion
Fabio Cannavaro 2006 Ballon d’Or win dey remind us say football no only about goals. True greatness fit dey for reading game, commanding defence, and inspiring team. Na lesson for every young defender: skill, discipline, and leadership dey matter pass numbers for scoreboard.