FC Barcelona´s top stars, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o, finished in the Top 5 of FIFA´s World Player of the Year 2006 competition. Brazilian international Ronaldinho finished 3rd (380 votes) and Cameroonian striker Eto'o 5th (300 votes). Italian world champion Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid) finished 1st (498 votes), followed by retired French international Zinedine Zidane as 2nd, (454 votes) and Arsenal´s Thierry Henry on 4th place (317 votes).


In this annual competiton, organised by FIFA, all captains and coaches of the international teams that are members of FIFA elect the best player of the current year.


The ceremony took already part in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday evening. Ronaldinho was honoured for the third consecutive year as he was elected in the Top 3 again, along with Cannavaro and Zidane. In the last 2 years, the Brazilian top star Ronaldinho came first, this time it was the 3rd place.


Last season, Barca player Samuel Eto'o was also among the Top 3, but this year La Liga´s top striker missed most part of the current season with a nasty knee injury. Still, his talent was recognised once again and Eto'o came into 5th place.