Calderon: Cannavaro to win Ballon d'Or.

Fabio Cannavaro will be named European Footballer of the Year - according to Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

The 33-year-old defender captained Italy to victory in the World Cup this summer before joining Real from Juventus in July.

Calderon made the claims while paying tribute to former Real star Ferenc Puskas, who died aged 89 on Friday.

"The joy at Cannavaro winning the Ballon d'Or has been overshadowed by the sad news of the death of Ferenc Puskas," said Calderon.

The winner of the award is voted for by European journalists and will be revealed officially by France Football magazine on 27 November.

Calderon's claims came after the Spanish media reported a meeting had taken place between France Football's editor and Cannavaro on Thursday.

Should his victory be confirmed, Cannavaro would become the fourth Italian to win the award - joining Gianni Rivera, Paolo Rossi and Roberto Baggio.

He would replace Brazilian Ronaldinho as the holder of the award, and become one of only a handful of defenders to claim the prize.