Kaka wins Ballon d'Or award

PARIS: AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka was named yesterday as France Football's Player of the Year, winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Born under the name of Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, he succeeds Italy's World Cup-winning captain and defender Fabio Cannavaro and comes two years after the last Brazilian winner of the trophy, Barcelona's Ronaldinho.

The 25-year-old Kaka notably played a starring role in AC Milan's triumphant Champions League campaign, scoring 10 goals and setting up the winner for Filippo Inzaghi in the final against Liverpool.