Kaka wins FIFPro World Player of the Year: Gerrard somehow makes XI

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AC Milan forward Kaka has been named FIFPro world player of the year.
The 25-year-old Brazilian claimed the accolade after 45,000 members of the players' union voted in the awards, which are in their third year.

He said: "I am humbled to receive such an honour. To follow my good friend and such a great player as Ronaldinho makes this a very special award."

England's John Terry and Steven Gerrard, were in the World XI with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Kaka was instrumental in Milan's Champions League triumph, sealed with a victory over Liverpool in Athens in May, ending as top scorer with 10 goals including three in the semi-final win over Manchester United.

It was the seventh time the Italian giants had claimed the crown.

He was the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Real Madrid in the close season, and was also a driving force in helping Milan to finish fourth in Serie A last term despite an eight-point deduction for match-fixing.

Kaka missed Brazil's Copa America victory in July because he opted out of the tournament to rest.



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FIFPro World XI: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus); Alessandro Nesta (Italy/AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy/Real Madrid), John Terry (England/Chelsea), Carles Puyol (Spain/Barcelona). Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (England/Manchester United)Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea), Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona)
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Doesn't anyone else find it very surprising that Gerrard made the World XI? There are a few other contentious ones in there but none stick out so much as that.
 
Not really, they got to the final of the champions league. Yes there probably were better options based on performances but its not surprising he's there.
 
I would personally put Riquelme in the team ahead of Gerrard based on this years form but the team is clearly not based on that, Ronaldinho is in it.
 
All these things are based on reputations rather than performances, Gerrard didn't have a great year (nor did Cannavaro) and Terry was injured for a large part of it too.
weringo said:
I would personally put Riquelme in the team ahead of Gerrard based on this years form but the team is clearly not based on that, Ronaldinho is in it.
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Very difficult to pick Riquelme with him not playing in one of the top leagues.
 
BaZ87 said:
Very difficult to pick Riquelme with him not playing in one of the top leagues.
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I thought his performances this year for Argentina alone were enough to justify a place in the team tbh, apperently he played very well for Boca last season as well.
 
weringo said:
I thought his performances this year for Argentina alone were enough to justify a place in the team tbh, apperently he played very well for Boca last season as well.
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Very possible that he played very well for Boca and he was excellent for Argentina but you have to take into account the standard of the sides he was up against.
 
BaZ87 said:
Very possible that he played very well for Boca and he was excellent for Argentina but you have to take into account the standard of the sides he was up against.
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A fair enough point but in every Argentina game I saw this year Riquelme was the best player on the pitch, ahead the likes of of Crespo, Tevez, Masch and Messi who actually was included in the world team.


Also just noticed FIFPro have stuck 4 centre backs in the team, do they even know what they're talking about? :p
 
If it was to go on form throughout the year, Toure would have been in. As would Vidic.

Terry and Cannavaro shouldn't be in there.
 
As I'm bored I'll make my (much more accurate) team of 2007 :p

Casillas

Alves Carragher Nesta Zanetti

Ronaldo Kaka Riquelme Messi

Van Nistlerooy Drogba

Can't think of any left backs who excelled this year so Zanetti is playing there for now :o
 
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