Kaka wins Golden Ball as Confederations Cup best player

JOHANNESBURG - Brazilian midfielder Kaka was awarded the Golden Ball as best player of the Confederations Cup tournament Sunday. Kaka garnered most votes in a poll of accredited journalists organized by world governing body FIFA. The vote was taken before Sunday’s final in which Brazil defeated the United States 3-2, with striker Luis Fabiono scoring two goals to take his tournament tally to five.

However Kaka was also voted man of the match by the FIFA Technical Study Group.

“He had a tremendous influence on the game and was extremely effective on both sides of the pitch,” group member Abdel Moneim Hussein of Sudan said.

“His attacking capabilities helped Brazil to reach a new level. On top of that he is also an honest player who never complains. His behaviour is always exemplary and he is the perfect player in that respect too.”

Tim Howard of the United States won the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper.

Kaka follows previous Brazilian winners of the award in Denilson (1997), Ronaldinho (1999) and Adriano (2005).

Robert Pires (2001) and Thierry Henry (2003) won the award for France.