Worst-Kept Secret of ‘07: Kaka Wins Golden Ball

By: Laurie | December 2nd, 2007

My, what a fresh-faced, well-scrubbed, clean-cut, toothy young man AC Milan’s Ricky Kaka is, isn’t he?

He’s also the proud winner of the 2007 Golden Ball, the award bestowed by France Football magazine on the European footballer of the year. We found out last night that Kaka beat out Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd) and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (3rd) for the award.

So much young and pretty, all in one place. Good thing I’m old and cynical, or I’d be swooning and unable to type.

If you’re looking for fun, go in and read the Football.fr article. The translator was obviously going for literal rather than “how an English speaker would say it,” so you get fun little nuggets like:

Kaka, 25 years old, tall stature and charming features, is the ideal victor of the first worldwide France Football Golden Ball, true to his perfect image. He took the trophy undisputed, almost naturally, mentioned by all voters, except Bosnia, after a magnificent Champions League campaign, where his numerous and often decisive goals (10) led Milan to the ultimate victory over Liverpool in the final.

It’s a tiny step up from Google translate, but still a bit like driving a car stuck in first gear. (And hey! Bosnia! What the hell is wrong with you?!?!)

But I like Kaka and don’t want to denigrate. Plus, according to my favorite guilty pleasure Kickette, who is never wrong on these things, he also has a pregnant wife. So congratulations, Ricky!

Martha has the full list with vote tallies over at Italy Offside. My personal favorite line: 36. Eric Abidal, David Beckham, Deco, Mahamadou Diarra, Diego, Miroslav Klose, Florent Malouda, Shunsuke Nakamura, Ricardo Quaresma, Raul, Paul Scholes, Luca Toni, Kolo Touré, José Fernando Torres et David Villa, 0 pt.

Ouch.

Next, stay tuned for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in Zurich on Dec. 17.

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Comments  

• James |  December 2nd, 2007 at 10:58 am

  
  
  

  He looks like a used-car salesman.

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  December 2nd, 2007 at 11:11 am

  
  
  

  James, hey, you didn’t hear it from me.

  Posted from United States

  

• Agi |  December 2nd, 2007 at 12:13 pm

  
  
  

  If I were him I’d be quite disapointed - where was Monica Bellucci to present the trophy this year?

  Posted from United States

  

• Laurie |  December 2nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm

  
  
  

  Agi, I wondered the same thing. I also wondered if they didn’t use anyone like her because he’s a clean-cut Christian boy with a pregnant wife.

  Posted from United States

  

• Hana |  December 2nd, 2007 at 3:38 pm

  
  
  

  gotta love him haha, yess, i thought i was the only one who heard the pregnant rumors. if theyre true, then total congrats!

  Posted from United States

  

• Hana |  December 2nd, 2007 at 3:40 pm

  
  
  

  Laurie, this site is pretty much brilliant by the way. good find! (not that i’ll actually admit to cruising it if anyone asks. ahem.)

  Posted from United States

  

• Rob |  December 2nd, 2007 at 5:54 pm

  
  
  

  Anyone know who these journalists were that voted? Did they only watch the Champions League? I know Kaka probably deserved it but not by that margin surely…

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Laurie |  December 2nd, 2007 at 7:12 pm

  
  
  

  Rob, I wondered what criteria they were using as well. I think if you’re a non-Serie A fan, Champions League is what you look at. Probably ALL you look at in a non-Euro, non-World Cup year. At least that’s my theory. If Portugal does well in Euros and ManU does well in CL, I’d expect the pretty Ronaldo to take it next year.

  Posted from United States

  

• Emi |  December 12th, 2007 at 9:39 pm

  
  
  

  Welldone.

  Posted from Australia

  

Comments are closed