Kaka favoured to win FIFA world player award

AC Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka is widely expected to add to his haul of trophies and titles this season when FIFA announce their World Player of the Year at Monday's annual gala in Zurich.

Kaka, who was due to fly to Switzerland after helping Milan to beat Boca Juniors 4-2 in today's Club World Cup final in Japan, faces competition from Manchester United's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Argentine striker Lionel Messi.

The trio were selected as this year's top three players in a poll of national team coaches and captains but the order in which they were chosen will be revealed only on Monday.

Kaka, who helped to steer his club to the 2007 Champions League title, is seen as a strong favourite after already picking up a clutch of individual honours this year.

Earlier this month he received the prestigious Ballon d'Or award handed out by France Football magazine following a survey of sports journalists around the world. The Ballon d'Or winner has gone on to pick up FIFA's World Player award in six of the past 10 years.

Kaka was also named World Player of the Year this month by World Soccer magazine, following a poll of fans in 48 countries.

Additional honours have included UEFA's Club Footballer of the Year, Champions League Best Forward and Champions League Top Scorer awards and the FIFPro World Player of the Year title, voted on by Kaka's fellow professionals.

Source: Reuters