And the award goes toÂ… Adriano. The burly Inter Milan striker has been voted the worst player of 2006 by Italian radio programme Catersport.
The Golden Dustbin, as the award is affectionately entitled, is voted for every year by listeners of the RAI station, and over recent years has been won by such other luminaries as Rivaldo, Nicola Legrottaglie and Christian Vieri.
Out of the 10,000 votes cast, Adriano garnered a whopping 3,215 (or 32.5% of the ballot) to beat Milanisti pair Ricardo Oliveira and Alberto Gilardino to top spot on the podium.
Adrianos form over the last calendar year has been awful, the goal ace not having quite lived up to his billing with a barren patch that has lasted since March.
Such are his problems, the Brazilian was shipped back home to rest and regain his focus at the end of October, but the prescription of sun, sea and sand does not seem to have worked.
Adriano is now back at the Giuseppe Meazza, but he looks overweight and out of sorts, and the goalless streak continues with no sign of it ending any time soon.
Even coach Roberto Mancini has failed to be impressed by his strikers reaction after taking a holiday mid-season.
"Adriano is not in good physical condition and is having a few problems," the Inter boss understated.
zocoss
Another Brazilian with weight problems...
Adrianos used to be rather good actually... He should leave in the Jan transfer window, too many good strikers at Inter.