Gianluigi Buffon was a professional soccer player.
The 2006 Ballon d'Or , given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries , was awarded to the Italy Defender Fabio Cannavaro on 27 November 2006 . Gianluigi Buffon . In 2006 , Buffon was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or and was elected to be part of the FIFPro World XI , an honour which he also achieved in 2007 .