BBC SPORT | Football | Kaka wins world players' accolade

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.

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 (Portugal/Manchester United), Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan), Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea), Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona)