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Disgraced France star Zinedine Zidane has scooped the Fifa Golden Ball award at the World Cup finals.
Zidane's World Cup and career ended on an extremely sour note as he was sent off for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi during France's World Cup final defeat.
He was not allowed to pick up his loser's medal, instead being left to contemplate his actions in Berlin on Sunday from the solitary confinement of the dressing room.
The disgraceful act threatened to cast a shadow over his illustrious career but, somewhat fittingly some may argue, he has risen from the flames to claim the top individual prize at the World Cup finals.
He polled 2012 points in the vote by journalists covering the tournament, beating Italians Fabio Cannavaro (1977 points) and Andrea Pirlo (715 points) in the ballot.
The vote was open once the shortlist was announced after the quarter finals and his displays prior to the final are likely to have swayed the journalists to come down in favour of the former Real Madrid man.
Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn won the Golden Ball in 2002. Other previous winners were Brazilians Ronaldo (1998) and Romario (1994), Italy's Salvatore Schillaci (1990) and Argentine legend Diego Maradona (1986).
Germany striker Miroslav Klose was the Golden Shoe winner for the tournament's leading scorer, while Italy's Gianluigi Buffon scooped the Lev Yashin award for the competition's top keeper.
Also Arsenal star Thierry Henry has paid a glowing tribute to retiring France star Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane's World Cup and career ended on an extremely sour note as he was sent off for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi during France's World Cup final defeat.
He was not allowed to pick up his loser's medal, instead being left to contemplate his actions in Berlin on Sunday from the solitary confinement of the dressing room.
The disgraceful act threatened to cast a shadow over his illustrious career but, somewhat fittingly some may argue, he has risen from the flames to claim the top individual prize at the World Cup finals.
He polled 2012 points in the vote by journalists covering the tournament, beating Italians Fabio Cannavaro (1977 points) and Andrea Pirlo (715 points) in the ballot.
The vote was open once the shortlist was announced after the quarter finals and his displays prior to the final are likely to have swayed the journalists to come down in favour of the former Real Madrid man.
Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn won the Golden Ball in 2002. Other previous winners were Brazilians Ronaldo (1998) and Romario (1994), Italy's Salvatore Schillaci (1990) and Argentine legend Diego Maradona (1986).
Germany striker Miroslav Klose was the Golden Shoe winner for the tournament's leading scorer, while Italy's Gianluigi Buffon scooped the Lev Yashin award for the competition's top keeper.
Also Arsenal star Thierry Henry has paid a glowing tribute to retiring France star Zinedine Zidane.
