AC Milan playmaker Kaka has been named European player of the year for 2007.

The Brazilian, 25, was the Champions League's top scorer last season with 10 goals as he led his team to the title, beating Liverpool in Athens in the final.

He wins the Golden Ball after amassing 444 points in the France Football survey of 96 journalists from around the world.
Each was asked to vote on a shortlist of 50 players and Christiano Ronaldo came a distant second with 277 points.