Milan playmaker Kaka has been named Fifa’s world player of the year, beating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the honour.
Kaka’s latest award comes on top of his European Footballer of the Year award and crowns a wonderful year in which he led Milan to Champions League and Club World Cup triumphs.
The Brazilian was also voted World Player of the Year in World Soccer’s annual poll.
In a poll of all national coaches and captains, Kaka polled 1,047 votes, Messi 504 and Ronaldo 426.
“It’s really special for me – it was a dream for me just to play for Sao Paulo and one game for Brazil,” he said.
“But the Bible says God can give you more than you even ask for and that is what has happened in my life.
“I had always thought about winning this award, but there are always doubts until it is actually confirmed.
“It is not just this award but the whole year that has been very nice. Winning the Champions League and everything that has happened, it’s just been wonderful.”
Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was fourth in the voting with 209, while 2004 and 2005 winner Ronaldinho came fifth.
Meanwhile, Pele was given the Fifa presidential award for his lifetime contribution to football.
“My father told me it was a gift from God to play football,” said an emotional Pele.
The three-time World Cup-winner praised Kaka as a worthy winner of the award.
“Ronaldo and Messi have played some great football this year but they are not yet the most prominent players in their national teams,” he said.
“Kaka has been playing at this level for Brazil for four years now, he helps out in midfield and he is also a great example off the pitch. He’s the complete player.”
In the women’s player of the year award, Brazil’s Marta won for the second year running, while Barcelona’s decision to promote children’s fund Unicef on their shirts was recognised with the Fair Play Award.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
1991: Lothar Matthaeus (Germany)
1992: Marco Van Basten (Holland)
1993: Roberto Baggio (Italy)
1994: Romario (Brazil)
1995: George Weah (Liberia)
1996: Ronaldo (Brazil)
1997: Ronaldo (Brazil)
1998: Zinedine Zidane (France)
1999: Rivaldo (Brazil)
2000: Zinedine Zidane (France)
2001: Luis Figo (Portugal)
2002: Ronaldo (Brazil)
2003: Zinedine Zidane (France)
2004: Ronaldinho (Brazil)
2005: Ronaldinho (Brazil)
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
