Nov. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to soccer's World Cup title in July, was voted European footballer of the year.

The 33-year-old, who joined Real Madrid from Juventus after the World Cup, is the first defender to win the award since Germany's Matthias Sammer in 1996. The last Italian winner was Roberto Baggio in 1993.

Cannavaro took the 51st annual Ballon d'Or trophy today after heading a poll of journalists organized by France Football magazine. Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, also part of the Italian World Cup team, and Arsenal's France striker Thierry Henry completed the top-three lineup, the magazine's Web site said.

Cannavaro, previously voted the second-best player at the World Cup after Zinedine Zidane, made his 100th international appearance in the July 9 final against France, which Italy won in a penalty shootout to claim soccer's biggest prize for a fourth time. Only Brazil, with five titles, has won more.

Cannavaro and Brazil midfielder Emerson then followed Juventus manager Fabio Capello to Madrid, which is rebuilding after failing to win a trophy in three seasons, its worst run in 53 years. The combined fee for both players was 23 million euros ($30 million).

They were the first to quit Juventus after the Turin-based club was demoted from Serie A for its part in a match-fixing scandal. Juventus, implicated along with AC Milan, Lazio, Reggina and Fiorentina, was also stripped of its league titles from the past two seasons.

Cannavaro made his Serie A debut in March 1993 for Napoli against Juventus. After two years he joined Parma, where he made 212 appearances in seven seasons and helped it win the UEFA Cup and Italian Cup in 1999.

He spent two years at Inter Milan before moving to Juventus in 2004 to link up again with Buffon and defender Lilian Thuram, who he played with at Parma. The trio helped Juve maintain the best defensive record in Serie A during his two seasons at the club.

Buffon allowed only two goals in seven games at the World Cup to help end Italy's 24-year wait for its fourth title.

To contact the reporter on this story: James Cone in London at jcone@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 27, 2006 11:23 EST