Kaka wins World Player of the Year award

Brazil midfielder Kaka has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United. It's the third and biggest accolade of the year for the Milan player, who was also awarded European soccer's Golden Ball and World Soccer magazine's player of the year award.

The great and the good of world football gathered at Zurich's Opera House on Monday for FIFA's awards ceremony. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the men's World Player of the Year award. It's definitely been a great year for Kaka and his Milan team. He led Milan to their seventh Champions League title and a record fourth world club title.

Top three: (from left) Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are in the running to become World Player of the Year when the award is announced today.(AFP)

Kaka said, "Tonight is really a special night for me because when I was young I dreamed to become just a professional player for Sao Paulo and play one game for the national team. Just it. But the bible says God has got more than what we can think or than we can want and this is what happened with my life. Thank you."

Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi took second place with Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United in third. The women's player of the year, Brazil's Marta won the award for the second year running. The 21-year-old was top scorer at the women's World Cup this year in China. Pele was given the FIFA presidential award, causing the Brazilian legend to break down in tears. And Barcelona were given the FIFA fair player award for 2007.