ZURICH, Switzerland — Brazil midfielder Kaka completed a virtual sweep of annual awards Monday by winning FIFA’s World player of the year.
The Milan playmaker received 1,047 points, ahead of Messi with 504 and Cristiano Ronaldo with 426 in a vote by national team captains and managers.
On the women’s side, Marta of Brazil captured the award with 988 points, ahead of Birgit Prinz of Germany with 507 and Cristiane of Brazil with 150.
For Kaka, it is the third accolade this year. He also won European soccer’s Golden Ball and World Soccer magazine’s player of the year award.
Marta was the top scorer of the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China, with seven goals. The 21-year- old led Brazil to the final, where it was beaten 2-0 by Germany.
“I’m very happy to be here once more, and you can be sure I am going to give my best to be here on other occasions,” said Marta, who won the award last year after three consecutive wins by Prinz.
Argentina finished No. 1 in the world rankings in 2007, winning FIFA’s team of the year in the process. The United States remained at No. 19.
Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear, who led his team to back-to-back MLS championships, received a contract extension through 2010.
