Kaka picks up world player prize
Monday, 17 Dec 2007 22:31
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Brazilian playmaker Kaka has been named Fifa's world player of the year ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
The AC Milan star scooped the accolade after playing a key role in the Rossoneri's march to the Champions League title.
Just a few days ago the 25-year-old had landed the Ballon d'Or as Europe's top player for 2007 and helped his side to the Club World Cup with a 4-2 win over Boca Juniors
His year was duly completed with a convincing victory over his two rivals for the award.
Argentinean youngster Messi trailed in second in the poll of national coaches and captains with 504 votes to the winner's 1,047 while Ronaldo registered 426 nominations to finish third.
A famously religious individual who regularly celebrates goals by revealing a t-shirt displaying Christian slogans, Kaka highlighted his faith as the bedrock of his success.
"Tonight is a really special night for me - it was a dream for me just to play for Sao Paulo and one game for Brazil. But the Bible says God can give you more than you even ask for," he said.
Cristiano Ronaldo was content just to be named on the shortlist for the prize.
"It's a real honour for me to be considered one of the three best players in the world," he said.
In the women's award Marta pipped Germany's Birgit Prinz to retain the trophy and make it a double celebration for Brazil.