Whether Fabio Cannavaro deserved the Golden Ball or not, or whether it should have been GianLuigi Buffon who took the crown as the best player of the year is something that has taken up much of the debate on an inter-national level.

What really bothers me is that Cannavaro has won this title when other, far greater, defenders have not managed in the past, for different reasons. He was luckier because, in a World Cup year, it is usual for a player from the team that won the event to be awarded the Golden Ball.

With Italy having no strikers who shone during Germany 2006, it was clear that the choice would fall on a defender.

Cannavaro has been chosen, but it is a shame that defenders such as Giacinto Facchetti, Gaetano Scirea, Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini never won the prize.

These four players deserved the Golden Ball in their time much more than Cannavaro did this year.

Saviour Borg

Naxxar