Forza Azzurri Statistics, Azzurri Stars

VITTORIO POZZO - One of the greatest coaches in World Football History and the greatest Italian coach ever. Known as 'Il Vecchio Maestro' (The Old Master) he led the Azzurri in the glorious pre-Second World War years. World Champion in 1934 and 1938, Olympic Gold Medalist in 1936 and Winner of two Coppa Internazionale in 1930 and 1935, he is a FIFA Hall of Champions Inductee and an Italian Hall of Fame Entrant. His records are very impressive: he is the first Coach to lead the Azzurri in a competitive game, the first Italian National Coach to lead the Azzurri without the help of a Technical Commission, the first European Coach to win a World Cup, the first Coach to win a World Cup away from home, the only coach ever to win two World Cups, the only coach to win both the World Cup and the Olympic Gold Medal, the only coach to be World and Olympic Champion at the same time, the most triumphant Italian National Coach - winning 5 major cups, the longest serving Italian National Coach - 19 years 1 month and the Italian National Coach with most Azzurri wins - 63 victorious games. He served as General Secretary of the Italian Football Federation before he was selected for the first time to lead the Azzurri as national Coach in 1912. Until 1948 when he retired from National Coach, he served on one Technical Commission (in 1921) and twice more as Italian National Coach (in 1924 and from 1929 till 1948). Selected by the IFFHS as the Best All-Time Olympic Games (1908-1940) Coach.

GIACINTO FACCHETTI - European Champion in 1968 when he was Captain of the Azzurri, he was Captain of the Azzurri team that finished 2nd in the 1970 World Cup. Runner-Up European Player of the Year of 1965, he was selected by IFFHS/FIFA as one of the best 45 World players and one of the best 20 European players of the 20th Century. Symbol of the Azzurro-Captain, he led the Italian National Team as Captain in 70 matches from a total of 94 games in Azzurro. Between 1965 and 1972 he played in all the Azzurri games, 54 consecutive matches. After his death, he was awarded the 2006 FIFA Presidential Award for his career as a footballer and as an official.

ALESSANDRO ALTOBELLI - World Champion in 1982, he formed part of the Azzurri teams that finished 4th in the 1980 and 1988 European Nations Cup. He was a prolific scorer, netting 25 goals in Azzurro in 61 games. He scored four times a 'Bis' (Double - two goals in one match) in Azzurro and with four goals he is the third most Azzurro Substitute Scorer (goals scored after entering the match as a substitute) in the Azzurro history. By scoring the third goal in the Italian 1982 World Cup Final victory, Altobelli became also the first player in the World Cup history to score in a World Cup Final after entering the match as a substitute. He is the Azzurro who missed most penalties in the Azzurro history - three.

GIANCARLO ANTOGNONI - World Champion in 1982, he formed part of the Azzurri teams who finished 4th in the 1978 World Cup and 4th in the 1980 European Nations Cup. Although considered by many as one of the best European midfielders in the 1980's, he never won any major individual award. He is the Azzurro player who wore most the number 10 shirt - 73 games / 9 years.

UMBERTO CALIGARIS - World Champion in 1934 when he was the most veteran Azzurro and therefore the Captain of the squad, although he never played a match in the tournament. Winner of two Coppa Internazionale (1930 and 1935 when again he was the Captain of the Azzurri), he also won the Bronze Medal of the 1928 Olympic Games when the Azzurri finished 3rd in the Football Category. For more than 40 years he was the player who played most in Azzurro.

ENZO BEARZOT - After being an unsuccessful Azzurro player, he become one of the best ever Italian National Coaches. World Champion in 1982, he lead the Italian National Team that finished 4th in the 1978 World Cup and 4th in the 1980 European Nations Cup. He is an Italian Hall of Fame Entrant, the 2nd most Italian National Coach to lead the Azzurri in most games and the most Italian National Coach to lead the Azzurri in continuous games. With three World Cup participations and 18 games, he is the Italian National Coach who led the Azzurri in most World Cup editions and games. He is the 4th in the All-Time World Cup Coach Appearances list.

In re-designing this web site I wanted to give more space to the individuals rather than a group of persons together as a team. After all, it is each individual who make the difference. Throughout the long history of the Italian National Football team it was always that particular player or coach or official who made the difference, a difference that made the Azzurri one of the greatest teams in world football history. The thirty-eight persons I selected to feature in the Main Page are just a small representation of the hundreds of players, coaches and officials who, in different ways, deserve to be honoured by being featured on this page. On the other hand, it is my opinion that those featured are the most famous from the whole Azzurri family and are the persons who made the difference in the golden moments of the Italian National Football Team history.

GIUSEPPE MEAZZA - World Champion in 1934 and 1938 when he was the Azzurri Captain, becoming thus the first captain to receive the World Cup away from home and one of only three european players (Giovanni Ferrari and Eraldo Monzeglio) to ever win more than one World Cup. He was awarded posthumously the FIFA Golden Ball as Best Player of the 1934 World Cup. Winner of two Coppa Internazionale (1930 and 1935), he is a FIFA Hall of Champions Inductee and Italian Hall of Fame Entrant. Selected by IFFHS/FIFA as the 2nd Best Italian player and one of the best 25 World Players of the 20th Century. For one year in the early 1950's he was the Trainer of the Azzurri. The Stadium of Milano is named in his honour.

PAOLO ROSSI - World Champion in 1982 when he won the Top Scorer List and the FIFA/Adidas Golden Ball World Cup Best Player award. Formed part of the Azzurro team that finished 4th in the 1978 World Cup. The 1982 European Player of the Year and scorer of the Azzurro Goal number 800, he is the Italian All-Time World Cup Top Scorer (with Roberto Baggio and Christian Vieri). He is one of only five Italian players (Roberto Baggio, Christian Vieri, Silvio Piola and Salvatore Schillaci) to have scored at least 5 goals in one single World Cup edition. Selected the 3rd Best Italian player and one of the best 15 European players of the first 50 years since the establishment of UEFA (Golden Jubilee Celebrations). He was also selected by IFFHS/FIFA as one of the best 40 European players of the 20th Century.

DINO ZOFF - World Champion in 1982. when he was also Captain of the Azzurri and won the Best Goalkeeper award, and European Champion in 1968. He is a holder of the FIFA Order of Merit, FIFA Hall of Champions Inductee and was Runner-up European Player of the Year in 1973. Formed part of the Azzurri teams that finished 2nd in the 1970 World Cup, 4th in the 1978 World Cup and 4th in the 1980 European Nations Cup. Selected by IFFHS/FIFA as the 3rd Best World Goalkeeper, 2nd Best European Goalkeeper and Best Italian Goalkeeper of the 20th Century. Selected as the 5th Best European Player and Best Italian player of the first 50 years since the establishment of UEFA (Golden Jubilee Celebrations). He is the Oldest Player ever to win the World Cup and the most Italian Player to lead the Azzurri as Captain in the World Cup. As National Coach, his Azzurri finished 2nd in the 2000 European Nations Championships.

WALTER ZENGA - Formed part of the Azzurri team who finished 3rd in the 1990 World Cup and 4th in the 1988 European Nations Cup. He is the Longest Unbeaten Goalkeeper in World Cup History, winner of the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of the World award three times (1989, 1990, 1991). and placed 3rd twice in the same award (1987, 1988). Selected by IFFHS/FIFA as the 2nd Best Italian Goalkeeper and one of the best 20 World Goalkeepers of the 20th Century.

ARTEMIO FRANCHI - President of UEFA and Regent and twice President of the Italian Football Federation (a total of 11 years). Under his leadership the Azzurri became European Champions in 1968, finished 2nd in the 1970 World Cup and 4th in the 1980 European Nations Cup. During his Presidency, Italy hosted and organised the 1968 and 1980 European Nations Championships. He is a holder of the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit and an Italian Hall of Fame Entrant. The stadiums of Firenze and Siena are both named in his honour.

RENZO DE VECCHI - One of the pioneers in the Azzurri history, he made his debut as a substitute in the second match of the Italian National Team, thus becoming the first Azzurro substitute. At 16 years of age, he is the youngest player ever to make his debut in Azzurro. Nicknamed 'Figlio di Dio' (Son of God) for his ability as a defender, he played a total of 43 games in Azzurro, 26 of them as Captain and committed the first own-goal of the Italian National Team.

FRANCO BARESI - World Champion in 1982, formed part of the Azzurri teams that finished 2nd in the 1994 World Cup, 3rd in the 1990 World Cup and 4th in the 1980 and 1988 European Nations Cup. He was the Runner-up European Player of the Year in 1989 and was selected by IFFHS/FIFA as the 3rd Best Italian Player and one of the best 35 World players of the 20th Century. Besides, he was selected as one of the best 20 European players of the first 50 years since the establishment of UEFA (Golden Jubilee Celebrations).

VALENTINO MAZZOLA - An Italian Hall of Fame Entrant, he was the leader of the Grande Torino of the 1940's who died tragically with all his team mates in the 1949 air crash of Superga. One of the rising Azzurro Stars upon which the new Italian National Team was being constructed after World War II. but due to his early death, his Azzurro career was very short, playing only 12 games, 5 of them as Captain, and scoring 4 goals. He is the father of the Italian Azzurro Star - Alessandro Mazzola.

OMAR SIVORI - An Italo-Argentin Oriundo who was one of the Superstars of World Football in the 1950's and 1960's. The first Italian player to be declared European Player of the Year when he won the award in 1961. Sivori was the last Oriundo to play with two National Teams, that of Argentina and Italy. He played only 9 games in Azzurro and managed to score 8 goals - an impressive record.

GIGI RIVA - European Champion in 1968, when he was also the overall Top Scorer of the European Nations Cup. An Italian Hall of Fame Entrant, he formed part of the Azzurri team who finished 2nd in the 1970 World Cup. The Runner-up European Player of the Year in 1969 and 3rd in the same award of 1970. With 35 goals in 42 games, he is the all-time Azzurri Top Scorer, a record he still holds for more than 30 years. Was selected by IFFHS/FIFA as one of the best 45 European players of the 20th Century.

ANGELO SCHIAVIO - World Champion in 1934, when he also finished the Runner-Up Top Scorer of the World Cup. Winner of two Coppa Internazionale (1930 and 1935) and the Bronze Medal of the 1928 Olympic Games when the Azzurri finished 3rd in the Football Category. He was the first Azzurro to score in the Final Stages of a World Cup and to score at least 4 goals in a World Cup Tournament. He was also the first European Player to score the winning goal in a World Cup final and to score a Hat-trick in the World Cup. He also scored the 100th goal in World Cup history. For 3 years in the 1950's he formed part of two National Team Technical Commissions.

FERRUCCIO VALCAREGGI - European Champion in 1968 as National Coach, he lead the Azzurri when they finished Runner-Up World Champions in 1970. An Italian Hall of Fame Entrant, he managed to change in a short span of time the Italian National Team, from the disaster of the 1966 World Cup 1st Round Elimination by North Korea to the crowning as European Champions in 1968 and the near miss of the 1970 World Cup. Under his guidance, the Azzurri only lost 6 games in 7 years.

GIAN PIERO BONIPERTI - A great player and leader who was unfortunate to play in Azzurro in one of the worst periods for the Italian National Team (1947 - 1960). Although considered by many as one of the best Italian players of all time, he never won any major individual award. Making his debut in Azzurro after playing only 14 matches in the Seria A, he played a total of 38 games in Azzurro, 24 of them as Captain, and scored 8 goals.

ALESSANDRO MAZZOLA - European Champion in 1968, he formed part of the Azzurri team who finished 2nd in the 1970 World Cup. The son of the Azzurro Star Valentino Mazzola, he was the Runner-up European Player of the Year in 1971 and one of the greatest talents of Italian Football in the 1960's and 1970's, famous for his dribbling and agility. He was one of the main pillars around which the great and triumphant Italian National Teams of 1968 and 1970 were built. Selected by IFFHS/FIFA as one of the best 45 World players of the 20th Century.

OTTORINO BARASSI - Vice President of FIFA for 11 years, FIFA Executive Member for 19 years, General Secretary, Regent and President of the Italian Football Federation for a total of 24 years and an Italian Hall of Fame Entrant. As the Secretary of the organising committee of the 1934 World Cup he was (together with Giovanni Mauro) the main driving force of the first World Cup Championship organised in Europe. He was the guardian of the Rimet Cup during the Second World War. Barassi also formed part of the organising committee of the 1950 World Cup and was a founding member of UEFA.

ROBERTO BAGGIO - FIFA World Player of the Year in 1993, European Player of the Year in the same year and winner of the Bravo Award in 1990 as the best Under 23 player in Europe. In 1994 he finished Runner-Up European Player of the Year and 3rd in the FIFA World Player of the Year award. Formed part of the Italian National Teams that finished 3rd in the 1990 World Cup and Runner-Up World Champions in 1994, when he also finished 3rd Place Top Scorer of the Championship. The Italian All-Time World Cup Top Scorer (with Paolo Rossi and Christian Vieri) and the most player to play in Azzurro from different clubs - Six. He is one of only five Italian players (Silvio Piola, Christian Vieri, Paolo Rossi and Salvatore Schillaci) to have scored at least 5 goals in one single World Cup edition and was selected as one of the best 25 European players of the first 50 years since the establishment of UEFA (Golden Jubilee Celebrations).

GIANPIERO COMBI - World Champion in 1934 when he was the Azzurri Captain, becoming thus the first European captain to receive the World Cup. Winner of two Coppa Internazionale (1930 and 1935) and the Bronze Medal of the 1928 Olympic Games when the Azzurri finished 3rd in the Football Category. Considered the 2nd best goalkeeper in the world (after the Spanish Zamora) during the 1930's, he was selected by IFFHS/FIFA as the 3rd Best Italian goalkeeper and one of the best 20 European Goalkeepers of the 20th Century. He is the 3rd most All-Time goalkeeper to defend the Italian goals, but was also the Azzurro goalkeeper to suffer most goals in one match (1-7 against Hungary in 1924, his 1st match in Azzurro). In the early 1950's he formed part of the National Team Technical Commission.for a few months.

FULVIO BERNARDINI - The only Azzurro who ever filled all possible main roles in Italian Football - player, coach and high official (Regent). He played 26 games in Azzurro, winning the 1930 Coppa Internazionale and the Bronze Medal of the 1928 Olympic Games when the Azzurri finished 3rd in the Football Category. In 1944 for a short time he was selected as Regent to lead the Italian Football Federation through the difficult period after the Second World War. He is the only ex Azzurro player to lead the Federation. In 1974 he became the Italian National Coach, a position he held for just one year before he became Director General of the National Team coached by Enzo Bearzot. He is an Italian Hall of Fame entrant.

SALVATORE SCHILLACI - Formed part of the Italian National Team that finished 3rd in the 1990 World Cup when he won the Top Scorer List and the FIFA/Adidas Golden Ball World Cup Best Player award. The 1990 Runner-up European Player of the Year and scorer of the Azzurro Goal number 900, he is the 3rd. World Cup All-Time Goal Scorer in Consecutive Matches when he scored 5 consecutive goals in 5 consecutive matches in the 1990 World Cup. One of only five Italian players (Roberto Baggio, Christian Vieri, Paolo Rossi and Silvio Piola) to have scored at least 5 goals in one single World Cup edition

GIANNI RIVERA - European Champion in 1968, he formed part of the Azzurri team that finished 2nd in the 1970 World Cup. European Player of the Year in 1969 and Runner-up European Player of the Year in 1963, selected by IFFHS/FIFA as the Best Italian Player and one of the best 20 World players of the 20th Century. By playing in four different World Cup Tournaments, he is the most Italian player to play in different World Cup Tournaments (together with Giuseppe Bergomi Fabio Cannavaro and Paolo Maldini) and the 3rd. all-time player to participate in different World Cup tournaments. Selected as one of the best 35 European players of the first 50 years since the establishment of UEFA (Golden Jubilee Celebrations).

GAETANO SCIREA - World Champion in 1982, he formed part of the Azzurri teams that finished 4th in the 1978 World Cup and 4th in the 1980 European Nations Cup. He is an Italian Hall of Fame Entrant and the 2nd. most Italian player with World Cup appearances (with Antonio Cabrini and Fabio Cannavaro). The 10th all-time player with World Cup appearances, after playing a total of 18 games in 3 editions. A unique record he holds is that he is the only player to have played all the 18 World Cup games without any interruption, from the first minute until the final whistle. Although considered by many as one of the best ever world players in the 'Libero' position, he never won any major individual award.

MARCO TARDELLI - World Champion in 1982, he formed part of the Azzurri teams that finished 4th in the 1978 World Cup and 4th in the 1980 European Nations Cup. Selected by UEFA as one of the best 40 European players of the first 50 years since the establishment of UEFA (Golden Jubilee Celebrations), he made his debut in Azzurro after playing just 20 games in the Seria A. His joyful celebrations after scoring the 2nd. Italian goal in the 1982 World Cup Final remained the visual symbol of the 1982 Azzurri World Cup success. As the Italian Under 21 National Coach, he led the Azzurrini to win the European Under 21 Championship in 2000.

GIOVANNI MAURO - Pioneer of Italian Refereeing. After a career as a player, he became an international referee (1911-1917), controlling 23 International matches and for seven years (1920-1927) he lead the Italian Referees Association as president. As the President of the organising committee of the 1934 World Cup he was (with Ottorino Barassi) the main driving force of the first World Cup Championship organised in Europe. In 1943 he was selected as Commissioner representing Central and South Italy and in 1945 he was the Regent of the Federation for the North of Italy, thus leading the Italian Football Federation through the difficult period after the Second World War. From 1948 till 1954 he was Chairman of the FIFA Referees Commission. An Italian Hall of Fame entrant, he is the only Italian to ever be a FIFA Honorary Member.

FEDERICO SORDILLO - President of the Italian Football Federation for six years, 1980 - 1986. Under his leadership the Azzurri passed through another golden moment in their history, culminating in the World Cup of 1982, hosted in Spain, when Italy were crowned World Champions. His story in Azzurro concluded with the end of the Bearzot era, after a disappointing performance in the 1986 World Cup.

ANNIBALE FROSSI - Olympic Football Champion and Gold Medalist in 1936 when he finished Top Scorer of the Olympic Tournament. A very distinctive player since he played wearing his spectacles, a limitation that did not stopped him in scoring beautiful goals. He played just 5 games in Azzurro but scored the impressive total of 8 goals. When Italy was preparing to participate in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games it was decided that since the Azzurri were World Champions a new generation of players should be selected instead of the world champions in order to uphold the Olympic spirit. Among these new players, National Coach Vittorio Pozzo selected Frossi and he was one of the few Olympic Champions that Pozzo called up again in Azzurro after the Olympic.

RAIMONDO ORSI - World Champion in 1934, an Italo-Argentin Oriundo, he won two Coppa Internazionale (1930 and 1935) with Italy and the Silver Medal of the 1928 Olympic Football Games with Argentina, when he was selected the Best Player of the Tournament. Regarded as the best Oriundo and one of the best wingers in the Azzurri History, he scored the Azzurro Goal number 200. Orsi was the first Oriundo to score in a World Cup Tournament with the Italian National Team, the first Italian and European player to score in a World Cup Final and the first Oriundo to play with the National Team of his native country both before and after playing in Azzurro.

SILVIO PIOLA - World Champion in 1938 when he finished 3rd Top Scorer of the World Cup Championship. Winner of the 1935 Coppa Internazionale, he is one of the most prolific goal scorers in Azzurro, scoring 30 goals in 34 matches. One of only 8 players (including the Azzurro Gino Colaussi) ever to score more than one goal in a World Cup Final, he is one of only three Italian Players (together with Colaussi and Giacomo Bulgarelli) to have scored more goals than the number of matches he played in the World Cup and he is one of only five Italian players (Roberto Baggio, Christian Vieri, Paolo Rossi and Salvatore Schillaci) to have scored at least 5 goals in one single World Cup edition. Selected by IFFHS/FIFA as one of the best 55 World players and one of the best 30 European players of the 20th Century. For one year in the 1950's he was also Coach of the Azzurri Technical Commission.

PAOLO MALDINI - Captain of the Azzurri when they finished Runner-Up World Champions in 1994 and Runner-Up European Champions in 2000, he formed part of the Azzurri teams that finished 3rd in the 1990 World Cup and 4th in the 1988 European Nations Cup. Runner-Up FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995, he finished 3rd in the European Player of the Year award of 1994 and 2003; and won the Bravo Award for 1989 as the best Under 23 player in Europe. In 2001 he was awarded the Most Efficient Azzuro Award by the Italian Hall of Fame and was selected the 10th Best European Player and 2nd Best Italian player of the first 50 years since the establishment of UEFA (Golden Jubilee Celebrations). His World Cup individual record is very impressive: he is the All-Time player with most World Cup Full 90 Minutes Consecutive Appearances (23 consecutive 90 minutes World Cup games), the All-Time player with most World Cup Appearances in Minutes (2217 Minutes), the 2nd most All-Time player with World Cup Games Appearances (23 World Cup games) and the Most Italian player with World Cup Games Apperances. By playing in four different World Cup Tournaments, he is the most Italian player to play in different World Cup Tournaments (together with Gianni Rivera, Fabio Cannavaro and Giuseppe Bergomi) and the 3rd. most All-Time player to participate in different World Cup tournaments. The son of another Azzurro player and National Coach - Cesare Maldini and a holder of the FIFA Order of Merit.

ARRIGO SACCHI - Italian National Coach for 5 years, from 1991 till 1996. Under his guidance, the Azzurri finished Runner-Up World Champions in 1994 when they lost the Final against Brazil with the Penalty Shoot-Out. From the 53 games he led the Azzurri as National Coach, the Azzurri won 34 games. During his years Robert Baggio and Paolo Maldini won the highest possible individual awards in Football.

ADOLFO BALONCIERI - Olympic Bronze Medalist in 1928 when the Azzurri finished 3rd in the Football category and winner of the 1930 Coppa Internazioanle. On both occasions he was the Captain of the Italian National Team and in the 1928 Olympic Football Tournament he finished Runner-Up Top Scorer. Scorer of Azzurro Goal number 100 and the IFFHS 3rd Best All-Time Football Olympic Games (1908-1940) Captain and the 2nd Most All-Time player with Appearances in the Football Olympic Games (1908-1940). He is the first Italian player to score against the legendary Spanish goalkeeper Zamora and holds the record of scoring in 6 consecutive Azzurri games.

GIUSEPPE BERGOMI - World Champion in 1982, he was Captain of the Azzurri teams that finished 3rd in the 1990 World Cup and 4th in the 1988 European Nations Cup. At 18 years, he is the youngest European player to ever win the World Cup, just two months after making his debut in Azzurro. By playing in four different World Cup Tournaments, he is the most Italian player to play in different World Cup Tournaments (together with Gianni Rivera, Fabio Cannavaro and Paolo Maldini) and the 3rd. all-time player to participate in different World Cup tournaments. He is one of only four players with the longest span of World Cup appearances - 16 years (1982 - 1998).

GIOVANNI FERRARI - World Champion in 1934 and 1938, he is one of only three European players (Giuseppe Meazza and Eraldo Monzeglio) to ever win more than one World Cup. Winner of the 1935 Coppa Internazionale, he was the greatest companion of the Azzurro Legend Meazza. For one year (1958-1959) he formed part as a Coach of the Italian National Team Technical Commission and another one year (1960-1961) as National Coach. He was also one of the founders of the Italian School for Coaching in Coverciano that trained a number of Italian National Coaches. For his Career in Coaching he is an Italian Hall of Fame Entrant.

MARCELLO LIPPI - World Champion Coach in 2006 when the Azzurri become the only European nation to win four world cups, after a successful period with Juventus winning all club top honours in Italy, Europe and the World, Lippi coached the Italian National team for four years divided in two periods during which he broke the Italian unbeaten games of Pozzo and equalized the same world Record with 31 unbeaten games. In 2006 he won the IFFHS Best National Coach of the World and World Soccer Manager of the Year awards. Currently he is ranked the 2nd All-Time (1996-2009) World Best Coach by IFFHS. Under his leadership the Azzurri won the FIFA Best Movers of the Year, the Laureus World Team of the Year, 'France Football' European National Team of the Year, Runner-up FIFA World Cup Most Entertaining Team and Runners-Up FIFA World Team of the Year all in 2006.

FABIO CANNAVARO - The Azzurro player who played most games with the Italian National Team (136 games) and who lead the Azzurri most as Captain (79 captained games) Fabio Cannavaro was the Captain of the Azzurri Team who won the 2006 World Cup and formed part of the Azzurri squad that finished Runner-up European Champions in 2000. He was the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year, 2006 'France' Football' European Player of the Year and won the Adidas Silver Ball as the Runner-up FIFA 2006 World Cup Best Player. Cannavaro formed part of the UEFA Euro 2000 Team, FIFA 2006 World Cup Team, UEFA 2006 Team of the Year, Onze de Onze 2006 Team and the FIFPro World XI 2006 and 2007 Teams. Besides, he was voted the 2006 AIC Best Player Oscar, 2005/06 Italian Footballer of the Year, 2006 AIC Best Italian Player Oscar, 2006 World Soccer Magazine Player of the Year, 2005 and 2006 AIC Best Defender Oscar and the Runner-up Rey del Futbol de Europe in 2006. Together with Scirea and Cabrini, Cannavaro is the 2nd. most Italian player with World Cup appearances (18 games) and together with Rivera, Paolo Maldini and Bergomi he is the most Italian player to play in different World Cup Tournaments and the 3rd. all-time player to participate in different World Cup tournaments (four).