Kaka named Player of the Year

AC Milan star Ricardo Kaka was named the Italian Players' Association (AIC) Player of the Year at the Oscar del Calcio ceremony tonight for leading his side to European Cup glory last May.

The Brazilian, who scored 10 goals during the competition, was also named Best Foreign Player of 2007 with Roma captain Francesco Totti winning the Best Italian Player award after claiming the European Golden Boot last season with 26 Serie A goals.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti took home the Manager of the Year award for a second consecutive year after guiding his side to second place last season and tasting Coppa Italia success.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini was not even nominated even though his side romped to the Scudetto last term.

Former Lazio Number 1 Angelo Peruzzi, who retired in May, was named Best Goalkeeper with Inter's Marco Materazzi winning the Best Defender gong and Riccardo Montolivo of Fiorentina scooping the Best Young Player award.

Roberto Rosetti won the accolade of Best Referee while AC Milan striker Ronaldo, who has struggled with injury this term, received a special Champion of Champions award for his displays for both Milan and Inter during the last 10 years.

Viewers on Sportitalia voted Gianluigi Buffon as the Fans Player of the Year and Riccardo Zampagna's strike for Atalanta against Fiorentina in Week 3 of this season as the Best Goal.

The awards ceremony was held in Milan following a mid-season meeting between the Italian Referees Association (AIA), club coaches and captains to discuss recent controversial on-field incidents.

Source: Reuters / Gazzetta / Corriere