OFFICIAL: Kaka wins Ballon d'Or

[D-Kin]

Report - Kaka wins Ballon d'Or Saturday 24 November, 2007

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Newspaper reports in Italy claim that Milan hero Kaka has already been told he is the Ballon d’Or winner for 2007.

‘France Football’ will only officially name the victor on December 2 in a ceremony in Paris, but the top player tends to be alerted earlier for a photo shoot.

According to the ‘Corriere della Sera’, a member of the jury has told Kaka he is the winner.

The report claims that the figure called him up to explain that the gap in votes was so large there was no point waiting to give the good news.

Right from the start the Brazilian was the hot favourite for the title, having been the Champions League top scorer in Milan’s victorious campaign.

Potential challengers included his Rossoneri teammate Andrea Pirlo, Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, but they were reportedly left far behind by Kaka in the voting.

The 25-year-old Serie A star is set to succeed Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro as the European Player of the Year – and is expected to take the FIFA World Player of the Year title as well.

Milan have traditionally done very well in the Ballon d’Or, with Gianni Rivera lifting the trophy in 1969, Ruud Gullit in 1987 and Marco Van Basten taking it three times in 1988, ’89 and ’92.

George Weah represented the Rossoneri in 1995 and Andriy Shevchenko won the prestigious award in 2004.

channel4.com - Football Italia

If this is true then there can't really be any complaints.

[Aladino]

Nope there can't. I have no doubt in my mind that Kaká will win it, it is great to see another Milan player win the trophy again. It has been long overdue... I just can't wiat until 2 December

[D-Kin]

Kaka banks on Ballon d’Or Wednesday 28 November, 2007

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Whispers that Milan’s Kaka has won the Ballon d’Or award are intensifying with reports that he has organised a trip to the Eiffel Tower this weekend.

The prize for European Footballer of the Year will be presented in Paris this Sunday and Kaka is the overwhelming favourite to clinch the honour.

Kaka’s heroics in Milan’s Champions League triumph last year seem to have lifted him above other candidates, including Inter hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

While nothing official has been announced yet, it has been revealed that Kaka is planning a special celebration in Paris.

“I was contacted to arrange a private visit to the Eiffel Tower,” Vice-Mayor of Paris Jean Bernard Bros revealed to Le Parisien.

There are also suggestions that Kaka will lift the World Player of the Year award a fortnight later and become just the 10th man to achieve the double.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Nice way to celebrate... would be interesting to see if it goes through!

[TheDevil]

very interesting time for milan
maybe cashing out on him now is not such a bad idea
his value is at an all time high and the cash infusion could help us strengthen other areas
kaka will leave sooner or later

[D-Kin]

Ballon d’Or ‘top 10’ unveiled Thursday 29 November, 2007

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It is widely accepted that Kaka will receive the Ballon d’Or on Sunday, but there are some surprises in the predicted top 10 that is circulating.

The World Footballer of the Year award will be presented in Paris on Sunday and it is one of the game’s worst kept secrets that Milan’s Kaka will triumph.

The Brazilian ace’s starring role in the Rossoneri’s Champions League triumph last term seems to have secured the silverware in the eyes of the judges.

In recent weeks, members of the Inter camp have claimed that striking star Zlatan Ibrahimovic could usurp Kaka, but reports suggest that the giant Swede was just seventh in the vote.

Kaka’s teammate Andrea Pirlo is believed to be the highest-placed Serie A challenger in fifth with Francesco Totti back in 10th spot.

Manchester United wizard Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be the runner-up with Argentine marksman Lionel Messi in third and Chelsea’s Didier Drogba pipping Pirlo to fourh.

The predicted top 10 in full:

1. Kaka (Milan)
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
3. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
4. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
5. Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
6. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
8. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
9. Robinho (Real Madrid)
10. Francesco Totti (Roma)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Zlatan behind RVN? No way.

[D-Kin]

Give Zlatan another year, by then people will realise what he's all about.

[Trim]

Kaka Officially Wins Ballon d’Or – Report

Kaka has officially been named as the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner by France Football magazine...

Kaka of AC Milan (pictured) has won the 2007 Ballon d'Or after picking up 444 points in the final stage of voting.

Full report to follow.

Goal.com - AC Milan - Kaka Officially Wins Ballon d’Or – Report

[D-Kin]

Ballon d'Or: Kaka crowned Sunday 2 December, 2007

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It is now official – Milan star Kaka is the 2007 Player of the Year after he was assigned the Ballon d’Or.

The Brazilian had been the over-riding favourite since voting began among the journalists all over the continent.

Previously known as the European Player of the Year award, organisers ‘France Football’ have recently extended the competition to those all over the world.

He absolutely dominated with 444 votes, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, 277) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona, 255). The same trio are shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

The other Serie A representatives in the top 10 are Milan teammate Andrea Pirlo in fifth position, Inter’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic in seventh place and Francesco Totti in 10th.

“It was an exceptional year and the Ballon d’Or crowns an extraordinary 2007,” said Kaka as he accepted the award in Paris.

“I want to thank God who allowed me to be here today. I thank my wife, my parents and Milan, the team that allowed me to win.

“I also thank my teammates, both at Milan and Brazil, and all of the fans.”

Kaka was the hot favourite after winning the Champions League – where he was top scorer with 10 goals – and the European Super Cup with the Rossoneri.

"It's the top prize around and the only way to win something like this is to play for a team like Milan," he said. "It's great to be part of a team that wins."

In October Kaka was named FIFPro World Player of the Year, voted for by 45,000 members of the players' union.

‘Ricky’ succeeds Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, who won both the 2006 Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year trophies after his World Cup triumph.

In all eight Ballon d’Ors have gone to Milan players after Gianni Rivera (1969), Ruud Gullit (1987), Marco van Basten (1988, ’89, ’92), George Weah (1995) and Andriy Shevchenko (2004).

“I have always said I want to become a symbol for Milan, the captain of this squad and I believe the best person to learn from is Paolo Maldini, who has played for the same club his whole life and won so much,” continued Kaka.

“I have just started my career, I am winning and he can set the best example for all of us here, as we are all winners.”

Since joining the Rossoneri for under £6m in the summer of 2003 Kaka has won the Scudetto, Champions League, two European Super Cups as well as three Oscar del Calcio – including 2006 Serie A Player of the Year – and UEFA 2007 Player of the Year.

“I am more mature, have more experience and learned so many things. I can put all that on to the field and this is why I score more goals and can play with more consistency, but that can only improve over time.”

The only trophy missing from the prodigious 25-year-old’s mantelpiece is now the Club World Cup, which Milan will aim for later this month.

“The competition in Japan is all I am missing now. This is the most important for a South American, as I grew up knowing this is the best there is, as you can only play in it if you win the Copa Libertadores. I lost in 2003, but now I want to win.”

Kaka was among the Rossoneri who lost the Intercontinental Cup to Boca Juniors in December 2003.

1) Kaka` (Brazil, Milan) 444 points
2) Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Manchester United) 277
3) Leo Messi (Argentina, Barcellona) 255
4) Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea) 108
5) Andrea Pirlo (Italy, Milan) 41
6) Ruud van Nistelrooy (Holland, Real Madrid) 39
7) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Inter) 31
8) Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal) 27
9) Robinho (Brazil, Real Madrid) 24
10) Francesco Totti (Italy, Roma) 20
11) Frederic Kanoute` (Mali, Sevilla) 19 u`
12) Ronaldinho (Brazil, Barcellona) 18
13) Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool) 17
14) Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina, Boca Juniors-Villarreal) 15
15) Daniel Alves (Brazil, Siviglia) 14
16) Filippo Inzaghi (Italy, Milan) 12
17) Franck Ribery (France, Marseille-Bayern Munich) 10
18) Paolo Maldini (Italy, Milan) 8
19) Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy, Milan), Thierry Henry (France, Arsenal-Barcelona), Clarence Seedorf (Holland, Milan) 7
24) Fabio Cannavaro (Italy, Real Madrid), Michael Essien (Ghana, Chelsea) 5
26) Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United) 4
27) Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), Rogerio Ceni (Brazil, San Paolo) 3
29) Younis Mahmoud (Iraq, Al-Gharafa) 2
30) Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria, Tottenham), Samuel Eto`o (Cameroon, Barcelona), Ryan Giggs (Wales, Manchester United), Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico, America Mexico), Carlos Tevez (Argentina, West Ham-Manchester United), Robin van Persie (Holland, Arsenal) 1.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Blaugrana]

Weird to see Robinho above Totti

Lots of players are about equal imo, Kaka, CR, Messi, Totti, Zlatan...any of them would have deserved it

I'm happy with Kaka, as he has shown most in the UCL (the highest level) of them 5, while none of them did really well on the world cup

[Aladino]

YAY! CONGRATS RICKY! He deserved it and I am so proud to see it go to another Milan player. Kaka becomes the eigth Milan player to win it and the 7th in the twenty Years Berlusconi's been in charge. It is great. Congrats again Ricky!



Mor epIctures to come in the Galleria dei nostri rossoneri

[D-Kin]

Galliani: We're keeping Kaka Sunday 2 December, 2007

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Adriano Galliani has “guaranteed” Kaka will remain at Milan after becoming the sixth player from the club to win the Ballon d’Or.

“It is a fantastic story,” grinned the Vice-President. “We have had Gianni Rivera, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten won it three times, George Weah, Andriy Shevchenko and now Kaka. I thank him and his family.”

The Brazilian has been the subject of world record shattering transfer bids from Real Madrid and Chelsea, the Spaniards alleged to have offered £80m.

“He will remain at Milan. I can guarantee it,” assured Galliani.

Kaka’s family was in attendance at the ‘France Football’ ceremony in Paris, including younger brother Digao, who also plays for Milan.

“It is very exciting being here. To see my brother receive this trophy and know he is the Number One makes me very proud,” said the defender.

Digao gave Ricky his football nickname, as when he was young he was unable to pronounce Ricardo and could only say ‘Kaka.’

“He makes so many sacrifices and works extremely hard. He really deserves it. Clearly, I want to win one as well now!”

Kaka’s mother Cristina was in Paris beaming with pride. “It is a great moment of achievement. Since he was a little boy I have seen our son work hard. I thank God and Kaka, because he is fantastic.”

This week Kaka confirmed to the media that he was trying to have a child with wife Caroline.

“It is a great honour to be Kaka’s wife at a ceremony like this,” she said. “I know how important this trophy is for my husband. Above all, we thank God.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Aladino]

Article from UEFA's site on Ricky!

Kaká's year capped by Ballon d'Or

Crowning glory
The Brazilian international told free-to-air channel TV TF1: "This award crowns an outstanding year for me. I thank God for this prize, which is the biggest any player can win, and also my wife and my parents. But to get a trophy like this, you also need to have a winning team around you, that's essential – so I'm grateful to Milan and to Brazil."

Athens victory
The 25-year-old helped Milan win the UEFA Champions League last season, scoring a campaign-best ten goals for the Italian club en route to their final victory against Liverpool FC in Athens. "This is fully deserved," said Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti. "Not just for his game but also for his image. He is a great person."

World vote
The former São Paulo FC player also scored Milan's third goal in their 3-1 defeat of Sevilla FC in the UEFA Super Cup match in August. He claimed 444 points in the vote for the award, with Cristiano Ronaldo (277) and Lionel Messi (255) the next best nominees. The Ballon d'Or, which in 2006 went to Italy's Fabio Cannavaro, was this year decided by a worldwide representation of 96 journalists, rather than by the previous poll of European football journalists.

Honourable mention
The European Footballer of the Year competition continues to be organised by France Football magazine, which inaugurated the award in 1956. Completing the list of this year's top players were: Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Cesc Fabregas, Robinho, Francesco Totti, Frédéric Kanouté, Ronaldinho, Steven Gerrard, Juan Román Riquelme, Daniel Alves, Filippo Inzaghi, Franck Ribéry, Paolo Maldini, Gianluigi Buffon, Petr Čech, Gennaro Gattuso, Thierry Henry, and Clarence Seedorf.