Harder now for defenders to win top award: Cannavaro

Winning the Ballon d'Or has always been tough for defenders but, with more demanding job scopes in modern football, Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro said it has become even more challenging.

- Lin Tianbao

The former centre-back is the last defender to claim football's most prestigious individual award.

He won it in 2006, when he captained the Azzurri to their World Cup triumph, in which they conceded only two goals in seven games, including a penalty.

Speaking to The Straits Times at an event organised by blockchain company Chiliz at Robertson Quay on Sept 18, the 51-year-old said: "I don't see a lot of defenders (winning it), even more now because the philosophy as a defender is completely different." Defenders, you win the trophy. So sometimes, defenders (or even) But he believes defenders should goalkeepers should win the trostill receive recognition.

"In Italy, we say with the strikers, you sell the tickets, (but) with the phy," he added.