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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Brazil's Kaka Tops in Soccer

Brazilian beats out star players from Portugal and Argentina

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(Newser) – Brazilian soccer sensation Kaka is FIFA's World Player of the Year, the eighth time since 1991 a Brazilian player has claimed the honor. The 25-year-old midfielder led AC Milan to the title in the Champions league this year with 10 goals, the BBC reports. "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.

On a night when Pele received a lifetime achievement award from soccer's international governing body, a humble Kaka easily beat out Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the balloting. Pele, widely considered the greatest player ever, praised his fellow countryman as a complete player. Among the women's players, Brazil's Marta was tops for the second straight year.

Brazilian soccer player Kaka, center, Cristano Ronaldo from Portugal, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi, nominee for the election of the FIFA Menss World Player of the Year pose at a press conference ahead of the 17th Fifa World Player Gala in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Walter Bieri)
Brazilian soccer player Kaka, center, Cristano Ronaldo from Portugal, left, and Argentina's Lionel Messi, nominee for the election of the FIFA Menss World Player of the Year pose at a press conference...   (Associated Press)
AC Milan' Brazilian midfielder Kaka watches the ball during his team's practice session for the Club World Cup soccer championship at Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007.(AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
AC Milan' Brazilian midfielder Kaka watches the ball during his team's practice session for the Club World Cup soccer championship at Yokohama International Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates his second goal during his Spanish League soccer match against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 10, 2007. Messi is one of the three nominees for the FIFA World Player of the Year award that will...
FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates his second goal during his Spanish League soccer match against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, March 10, 2007....   (Associated Press)
FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, duels for the ball with Espanyol player Clemente Juan Rodriguez during their Spanish league soccer match at Lluis Companys Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, duels for the ball with Espanyol player Clemente Juan Rodriguez during their Spanish league soccer match at Lluis Companys Stadium in Barcelona,...   (Associated Press)
AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka waves to fans during a practice session for the Club World Cup soccer championship in Yokohama near Tokyo Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka waves to fans during a practice session for the Club World Cup soccer championship in Yokohama near Tokyo Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)   (Associated Press)
AC Milan Brazilian striker Kaka celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A top league soccer match between Lazio and Milan at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. AC Milan midfielder Kaka won the Golden Ball award Sunday, Dec. 2 2007, after helping the club win the Champions League...
AC Milan Brazilian striker Kaka celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A top league soccer match between Lazio and Milan at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. AC Milan midfielder...   (Associated Press)
Soccer player Kaka from Brazil poses with the trophy after being named FIFA World Player of the Year during the 17th Fifa World Player Gala in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Walter Bieri)
Soccer player Kaka from Brazil poses with the trophy after being named FIFA World Player of the Year during the 17th Fifa World Player Gala in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Walter...   (Associated Press)
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