Kaka is the New Goldenballs

By: Daryl | November 24th, 2007

Word on the Italian media grapevine is that we have a Ballon d’Or winner for 2007, and his name is Kaka. The Corriere della Sera is reporting that the Ballon d’Or jury have told Milan’s Brazilliant playmaker to rent a tux, comb his hair nicely and get ready to receive the award on December 2nd. And the golden ball itself got even more prestigious this year, as it was open to any player of any nationality in any league in the world.

It’s also got a great tradition to it, with football journalists voting and handing out the award ever since 1956, when the winner was English winger Stanley Matthews. And, somewhat paradoxically, the fact that it comes from journalists and not from FIFA gives it added weight. The journalist at least seem to consider players performances, while for something like the FIFA World Player of the Year award, the FIFA technical committee just seem to sit round a table and name their favourite stars.

[though that's just for the shortlist, thanks BC]

So did the journalists get it right by naming Kaka the best player in the world? He skipped Brazil’s Copa America win, but his club form for AC Milan has been worthy, especially en route to winning last season’s Champions League. It’s Kaka’s first win, but it will also be AC Milan 8th, putting them joint-top with Juventus for amount of times a player from each club has won the award.

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Category: Serie A, South America, World Football

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I think Kaka is one of the best players in the world, and think he could become the best player in the world in the future. He might even captain Brazil one day.
BC

Going by the past FIFA´s world player of the year is not chosen by the technical committee. The short list maybe, but the votes come from the manager and captain of the national team of every FIFA member. Each one has a right to 3 ordered picks and they can not vote on people from the same country they coach/play for.

Considering the Ballon d´Or was recently won by people like Sammer and Michael Owen, and even Nedved and Shevchenko I am not sure I agree that is a better judge of greatness.

And while I love Kaká, despite the CL season he managed to be unimpressive or not play too much, in league and internationally, for me to consider him really the best in the world. If only he had gone play in Copa America, since they won the case would be a lot stronger.