The Italian defender ended Ronaldinho's two-year reign as World Player of the Year after he also succeeded the Barcelona playmaker as European Footballer of the Year.
Fabio Cannavaro, Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane have been shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Les Bleus will be without some of their World Cup stars when they take on Israel in the World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Real Madrid are now ready to talk to Arsenal about a fee for the French midfielder.
'It was deserved victory, definitely, for France, said Portugal's Brazilian coach.
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France might be 'India's best friend' as the French president put it, but the fact remains that the share of France in India's foreign trade is today only 1.8 percent. Though Sarkozy declared that he would like at least 1,000 small and medium size companies to enter the Indian market, it is easier said than done.
About 600 screaming fans were held back by a line of policemen outside the team's central Bangkok hotel.
Title holders France survivved a scare from Colombia before winning their opening match in the Confederations Cup.
Real Madrid and Inter Milan both have four in the top 20 of the world's best-paid players and Manchester United three.
Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo scored thrice to help his side thrash Espanyol 6-0 in a ruthless attacking display in La Liga clash at Santiago Bernabeu.
France's goalless draw with Israel confirmed a lot of work will be needed to overcome the absence of Zinedine Zidane.
Spain's captain turns 29 on Tuesday, when his side takes on France in the quarter-finals.
The UEFA's 50th anniversary celebrations begin on Thursday by unveiling the outstanding European player of the last 50 years from a poll of seven million votes.
Real Madrid lost 4-3 at Sevilla but still finished second in the Spanish Primera Liga.
Reigning champions Real Madrid took advantage of Valencia's defeat against Deportivo to move up to second.
Florentino Perez has acquired a reputation for being Real Madrid's hero after bringing Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham to the club.
Real Madrid supporters urged Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at the club during celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday to mark their third consecutive Champions League title after an open-top bus parade through the Spanish capital.
Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos made to the team in a poll carried out by UEFA's official web site.\n\n
Real Madrid's David Beckham is the best paid soccer player in the world, according to a survey published in France Football magazine.
