The 25-year-old Brazilian international beat Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo in the annual poll of national team coaches and captains.

Kaka collected more points in the poll than the combined total of the other two nominees, world soccer's governing body FIFA said after the ceremony here. He won 1,047 votes while Argentine Messi collected 504 and Portuguese Ronaldo picked up 426.

"Tonight is really special for me," said Kaka, who helped Milan to their seventh European Cup title in May and was also inspirational in Sunday's 4-2 Club World Cup final victory over Argentina's Boca Juniors.

Favourite

"When I was young I dreamed of playing for Sao Paulo and playing just one game for the national team. That was it...but the Bible says God gives us more than we ask for and that is what has happened in my life."

Kaka was a heavy favourite to win Monday's award after landing France Football magazine's prestigious Ballon d'Or and World Soccer magazine's World Player of the Year award.

Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba was fourth in the FIFA poll with 209 points. Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho came fifth.

Kaka's compatriot Marta was named women's World Player for the second year running.

Three-times World Cup winner Pele completed Brazil's clean sweep at Monday's gala when he picked up the FIFA presidential award for his lifetime contribution to the sport.