ZURICH - Brazil midfielder Kaka completed a virtual sweep of annual awards on Monday by winning Fifa's World Player of the Year.
ZURICH - Brazil midfielder Kaka completed a virtual sweep of annual awards on Monday by winning Fifa's World Player of the Year.
The 25-year-old Milan playmaker received 1047 points in a vote by national team captains and managers, more than twice as many as Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with 504. Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo was third with 426.
For Kaka, it is the third accolade this year. He also won European soccer's Golden Ball and World Soccer magazine's player of the year award.
"Tonight is a really special night for me," Kaka said after being handed the trophy.
He is the fifth different Brazilian to win the title joining three-time winner Ronaldo, Ronaldinho (2), Romario (1), and Rivaldo (1).
Kaka said before the award ceremony at the Zurich Opera House that he owed his success this year to his club.
Kaka led Milan to a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the European Champions League final in May. On Sunday, he scored one goal and set up two for Filippo Inzaghi as Milan won its record fourth world club title by beating Argentina's Boca Juniors 4-2.
In the women's competition, Marta of Brazil won her second straight award. - Sapa-AP
Kaka crowned the best
ZURICH - Brazil midfielder Kaka completed a virtual sweep of annual awards on Monday by winning Fifa's World Player of the Year.
ZURICH - Brazil midfielder Kaka completed a virtual sweep of annual awards on Monday by winning Fifa's World Player of the Year.
The 25-year-old Milan playmaker received 1047 points in a vote by national team captains and managers, more than twice as many as Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona with 504. Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo was third with 426.
For Kaka, it is the third accolade this year. He also won European soccer's Golden Ball and World Soccer magazine's player of the year award.
"Tonight is a really special night for me," Kaka said after being handed the trophy.
He is the fifth different Brazilian to win the title joining three-time winner Ronaldo, Ronaldinho (2), Romario (1), and Rivaldo (1).
Kaka said before the award ceremony at the Zurich Opera House that he owed his success this year to his club.
Kaka led Milan to a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the European Champions League final in May. On Sunday, he scored one goal and set up two for Filippo Inzaghi as Milan won its record fourth world club title by beating Argentina's Boca Juniors 4-2.
In the women's competition, Marta of Brazil won her second straight award. - Sapa-AP