Kaka Wins FIFA Player of the Year

AC MILAN'S Brazilian star Kaka has been crowned 2007 FIFA Player of the Year.

Kaka of Brazil holds the FIFA World Player 2007
award during the awards ceremony in Zurich.
Picture: Reuters

He took the award in front of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Kaka had already been named European Footballer of the Year and took another award from World Soccer magazine.

Kaka helped AC Milan to the European Champions League title in 2007 as well as the World Club Cup and European Super Cup.

The 25-year-old, whose full name is Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, succeeded Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.

“It's a very special day for me. When I was young, I dreamt of being a professional footballer for Sao Paulo and playing for the Brazilian national team,” said the attacking midfielder after receiving the award.

“But the bible says that life gives more than we can, and that has happened to me.”

The AC Milan playmaker, who is expected to sign a new contract with the Italian giants in the coming weeks that will keep him at the club until 2013, was also crowned player of the Club World Cup following Milan's successful campaign in which they beat Argentinian side Boca Juniors 4-2 in the final.

Kaka's impressive individual honours list for 2007 now includes the FIFA Player of the Year, Ballon d'Or, World Soccer Magazine, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and FIFPro World Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old compatriot Marta was named women's FIFA Player of the Year for the second year running.

AFP