SPORTS NEWS.

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, better known as Kaká, practically swept the 2007 annual footballer awards, receiving the FIFA World Player of the Year, FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and Ballon d'Or. Born in Brasilia, Brazil, he debuted with Sao Paulo FC in 2001 and has played for AC Milan since 2003. Playing for Brazil's national team since 2002, Kaka is credited with orchestrating the team's 2007 FIFA Club World Cup win by scoring a goal and assisting on two others. Kaka was a member of the Brazil national football team when it won the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2006, and captained the team for its runner-up finish in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Other honors Kaka has received include winning the FIFA Club World Cup with Brazil in 2007, winning the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup with Brazil, winning the UEFA Super Cup in 2003 and 2007 with Milan, being named UEFA's 2007 Champion League Top Scorer and FIFPro's 2007 World Player of the Year. Considering his many achievements, it is interesting to note that at 18 he suffered a potentially paralyzing injury when he fractured a vertebra by jumping into a pool. Kaka plays in the attacking midfielder and center forward positions.