AC Milan and Brazil star Kaka has been named Fifa's world player of the year, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the honour in Zurich.
Kaka's latest award crowns a superb year in which he led AC Milan to Champions League victory this season, scoring 10 goals in the process.
In a poll of all national coaches and captains, Kaka polled 1,047 votes, Messi 504 and Ronaldo 426.
The 25-year-old was named European player of the year earlier this month.
Kaka, a devout Christian, said he had never expected to reach such heights in the sport.
"It's really special for me - it was a dream for me just to play for Sao Paulo and one game for Brazil," he said.
"But the Bible says God can give you more than you even ask for and that is what has happened in my life.
"I had always thought about winning this award, but there are always doubts until it is actually confirmed.
"It is not just this award but the whole year that has been very nice. Winning the Champions League and everything that has happened, it's just been wonderful."
Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was fourth in the voting with 209, while 2004 and 2005 winner Ronaldinho came fifth.
In the women's player of the year award, Brazil's Marta won for the second year running, beating Germany's World Cup-winning captain Birgit Prinz and her fellow Brazilian Cristiane.
Barcelona's gesture of displaying the name of children's fund Unicef on their shirts was recognised with the Fair Play Award.
