Realmadrid News

The Best Player in the World: Ramón Calderón and Pedja Mijatovic celebrate with Fabio Cannavaro

He signed for Real Madrid in July shortly after winning the World Cup with the Italian national team. Ramón Calderón and Pedja Mijatovic were already singing the praises of the best defender at the time. Three months later, praise towards the Italian has multiplied, both as a player and person. The President and Sporting Director were by the centre back's side at every moment and they listened closely to the words of a deserving Golden Ball award winner.

After speaking to the press, Fabio Cannavaro, Ramón Calderon and Pedja Mijatovic posed alongside the Golden Ball; an image that will go down in history. The three Madridistas coincided in pointing out one hope, “That this be the first of many trophies this year.” Real Madrid have made lots of progress with Fabio Cannavaro in defence. Lots of flash bulbs and congratulations for the player. Real Madrid have reasons to celebrate. They have added another Golden Ball to their history book... And there are many more to come.

Sharing the honour:"I'll present it to Madridistas as soon as possible"

Shortly after receiving the Golden Ball, the Italian Madridista expressed his desire to share the prestigious award with all Madridistas. "This is a dream come true and I want to present it to Madridistas as soon as possible," declared Cannavaro.
What was the most important part of this year?
Winning the World Cup was the most incredible thing. Everyone had a close eye on the final and I am sure that marked the difference in winning this award.

You have mentioned Hierro, Baressi… Has this been a long time in coming for a defender?
Yes, very long. I won because I played in the World Cup.

What does winning the Golden Ball mean to you?
I am so happy. It's a dream I never imagined. It's very hard for a defender to win it.


What do you have left to accomplish at 33 years of age?
Improving day by day because a player always has to get better. Now my goal is to win a title with Real Madrid. The League or the Champions League.

Will you dedicate this award to Madridista fans?
As soon as possible. This is a dream come true.



The Golden Ball indicates that things are on the up and up this season.
We are very happy because we are here with our player who was named the best in the world. It's very important to him and us as well, because he will help us a lot in achieving our objectives. And let's not forget about his teammates, because he is a player that contributes a lot.

And he's a defender, something rarely seen.
He's had a very good year. He won the League with Juventus and played a great World Cup. It didn't come as a surprise to me being that I know a little about the football world. It's very complicated for a defender to win a title like this one.


What other players could have won the Golden Ball?
I don't want to think about other possible winners. I wasn't surprised [Cannavaro] won looking back on the great year he had. After winning the World Cup, it was obvious they were looking for someone on the Italian national team. Henry and Raúl have always come close. I hope a Madridista wins it next year. It would show that we won everthing.

Being 33, it's amazing how eager he is still is to play and win.
He's a great professional. He lives for football and age for a player like him means nothing. That's very important to us. He is still very hungry and he wants to win the Club's tenth Champions League, something out fans really want. We also want to win the League. We're on the right track, and I think we will have a title in hand when all is said and done.




Absolutely. He's an exceptional player and this recognition is evidence of that. He's a great person and an adorable human. I have gotten to know him over the three months he's been with us and he is optimism, happiness, enthusiasm, and desire to build a winning team... Everything that makes him a great person. It's we who should be thanking him for coming to Real Madrid. He had several options and he chose us.

He also brought up other Madridistas, Hierro and Ronaldo.
I really enjoyed listening to him. It's true that Hierro is often left out, but Cannavaro mentioned him. We still remember Madridistas like Hierro who moved around the box with those long passes. It was a nice detail and very important for me. And Ronaldo as well. [Cannavaro] told me he was impossible to mark when in form. Both reminders were very nice.


This Golden Ball could be the start of a great season for Real Madrid.
I am sure of it. We did a great job signing a great coach and allowing him to bring in footballers that put us in a position to win titles. Cannavaro is only missing the Champions League. He has told me he wants to win it this year. It would cap off a perfect year for him. I really hope that's the case. It won't be easy, but the team is finding itself little by little.

Cannavaro is 33, has won virtually everything, and still has the desire to win a lot more.
It's as important as his sporting value. He's an exceptional player in the human aspect, on the bench, on the pitch, in training... His happiness is contagious within the squad and I think he will be a very important player for us.

What does a Madridista born and bred player need on order to win this troph?
I don't know. I would have liked Raúl to win it because he has done everything. It's still possible and I hope it happens. I also think Casillas and others who have developed within our Club. It's true that it's resisting us. Let's see if we can be here soon with a Spanish born and bred player from our Club.

Report by Luis Navarro
Photos by Daniel Sastre
Special correspondents to Paris, France
Translation by Matthew Goltz

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 12:25 AM