WORLD SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
KAKA
2007
Brazilian boy…Kaka
Perfect son
M
ilan’s Brazilian star does not fit the identikit of the modern footballer. Kaka is almost too good to be true. With his clean-faced good looks it is no surprise when he pulls up his jersey to reveal a T-shirt that reads: “I belong to Christ”. Unlike some of his fellow star players, he makes headlines solely with his football, not because of a “colourful” lifestyle. After all, Milan’s Brazilian playmaker does proudly boast he was still a virgin on his wedding day. Kaka also avoids controversy on the pitch. For example, he has never been sent off in five seasons in Serie A. Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite is a supremely appropriate winner of both World Soccer’s World Player of the Year award and France Football’s Ballon d’Or. For once, we have a winner about whom there are no “ifs” and “buts”. Explosively fast (he covers the first 40 metres in 3.8 seconds), beautifully balanced and able to play off either foot, the 25-yearold is the complete player. He is also capable of single-handedly turning big matches – witness his role, including ten goals, in Milan’s triumphant Champions League campaign last season. All in all, it is hard not to agree with Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi when he says of Kaka: “He plays consistently well, he’s a class player who not only wins games for you but also scores wonderful goals. He’s a good-looking boy, the sort of boy all mothers and fathers would want as a husband for their daughter.” Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is also
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Faith…a higher power
