Ronaldo third as Kaka scoops FIFA Player prize

Kaka raises the FIFA World Player 2007 award after adding the world accolade to his European Player of the Year title during yesterday's ceremony in Zurich

December 18 2007 04:47 AM

AC Milan's Brazilian superstar Kaka has been crowned as FIFA's World Player of the Year, beating off competition from Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Kaka has had a glittering year for AC Milan, during which they won the Champions League, and has won the Ballon d'Or award for the European Footballer of the Year, FIFPro's World Player of the Year voted by fellow professionals and World Soccer's Player of the Year.

Argentina forward Messi came second, and Portuguese winger Ronaldo was in third place.

Pele was given the FIFA Presidential award, causing the great Brazilian to break down in tears.

"My father told me it was a gift from God to play football,'' said Pele after picking up the award.

In the women's player of the year, Brazil's Marta won the award for the second year running -- beating Germany's World Cup-winning captain Birgit Prinz, three times a former award winner, and another Brazilian Cristiane.