Zinedine Zidane named the best player
{{date|July 10, 2006}}

The retiring [[France|French]] [[soccer|football]] star [[Zinedine Zidane]] has been awarded the {{w|2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 Fifa World Cup}}'s {{w|Ballon d'Or|Golden Ball award}}. Zidane secured 2,012 votes, narrowly beating [[Italy|Italian]] captain {{w|Fabio Cannavaro}}, who secured 1,977. 

When Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the final match, it was expected that Zidane would not win the award because of the shameful incident. 

German striker {{w|Miroslav Klose}} won the {{w|Golden Shoe award}} for the most goals. Klose scored five goals in the tournament, besting the second highest goal scorer by two goals. Klose's strike partner {{w|Lukas Podolski}}, had won the best young player award of the tournament.

Italy's goalkeeper {{w|Gianluigi Buffon}} won the best goalkeeper award, while [[Portugal]] were named the most entertaining team in the tournament.

== Source ==
* {{source|
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5154248.stm
|title=Sent-off Zidane named best player
|author=|pub=BBC Online
|date= 10 July 2006}}

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[[Category:Lukas Podolski]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Football (soccer)]]
[[Category:Zinedine Zidane]]
[[Category:Gianluigi Buffon]]
The retiring French football star Zinedine Zidane has been awarded the 2006 Fifa World Cup's Golden Ball award. Zidane secured 2,012 votes, narrowly beating Italian captain , who secured 1,977. 

When Zidane headbutted Materazzi in the final match, it was expected that Zidane would not win the award because of the shameful incident. 

German striker Golden Shoe award for the most goals. Klose scored five goals in the tournament, besting the second highest goal scorer by two goals. Klose's strike partner , had won the best young player award of the tournament.

Italy's goalkeeper  won the best goalkeeper award, while Portugal were named the most entertaining team in the tournament.
Lukas Podolski France Europe Sports Football (soccer) Zinedine Zidane Gianluigi Buffon