2007 Ballon d’Or Winner Kaka: The Calm Before the Ronaldo and Messi-Induced Storm

The Ballon d’Or. The crème de la crème. In 2007, Kaka came out on top as the young duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi looked on. The Brazilian’s famous win preceded the dominance of the aforementioned two and boy, did he do it in style.

Formerly of AC Milan and Real Madrid, the stylish playmaker became the fourth footballer from his nation to win the coveted individual prize. He’s certainly in esteemed company with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo the other three from his nation to also be awarded the ‘big one’.

Adept at initiating and finishing attacks, the midfielder racked up 177 goals and a further 143 assists in his 545-match career and will easily go down as one of the game’s greatest midfielders of all time, though he rarely gets the platitude he so thoroughly deserves.

Early embers of his trophy-laden career

Born on 22 April 1982, Ricardo Izecson, commonly known as Kaka, played in some of football’s greatest teams over the years and was often a vital cog in their success.

Unlike many of his compatriots, Kaka was born into wealth meaning the gifted midfielder was able to focus on football while one eye was kept on his education.

Way before his fame and European glory, Kaka suffered a near career-ending injury while at his boyhood club Sao Paulo. At the time, there were worrying doubts whether he would step foot on a football pitch again. Luckily for all parties, Kaka made a full recovery and embarked on what can only be described as a trophy-ridden career.

At the ripe age of 21, Kaka was picked up for “peanuts” as Milan’s late president Silvio Berlusconi described his latest pick-up in the summer of 2003. For just $8.5 million, the Brazilian technician left his native Brazil to join one of Europe’s stalwarts and their investment paid off.

2007 Ballon d’Or victory

Often known as the “forgotten genius”, Kaka’s arrival saw Rui Costa’s place in the team dislodged – that in itself just showcases the height Kaka was cruising at in a Milan shirt. As the new kid on the block, the unforgiving Brazilian forged formidable relationships with the likes of Andriy Shevchenko and Pippo Inzaghi.

Once Shevchenko left the Italian capital in 2004, it left the door ajar for Kaka to evolve into the player he became. Ruthless, technical, decisive – Kaka had a very varied skill set, which left him unpredictable at times and, therefore, such an indispensable figure in the Milan front line. Despite not possessing the same glitz and glamour as the likes of Ronaldinho or Cristiano Ronaldo did, there can be no doubts over his influence on Milan’s European dominance, especially during his Ballon d’Or-winning season.

Though Kaka enjoyed an illustrious playing career, his 2006-07 season really was the pinnacle as he picked up almost twice the votes as a young Cristiano did in second place. Milan and United (basically Kaka and Ronaldo) squared off in the 2007 Champions League semi-finals and the Italian heavyweights were carried through the trenches by the Gama-born genius.

Not only did he net three times across both legs to send his side through 5-3 on aggregate, but Kaka dictated play from minute one to minute 90 and was head and shoulders above the rest. It was such a fine display. His innate ability to perform on the largest stage was equally as – if not more – impressive than his imposing technicality; and when the two married up, there was simply nobody better on the pitch.

Kaka-led AC Milan beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final of Europe’s top tier competition as his presence left the English outfit dazed and confused with his tight control, quick feet, and intuition.

Despite Milan’s domestic struggles in 2006/07, the now 41-year-old took his game to new heights, especially in the Champions League. His goal scoring exploits were at their peak as he racked up 15 league goals and 19 across all competition, as he topped the Milan charts.

AC Milan were the best team in Europe, and Kaka was their best player in the Milan set-up. It’s that simple. Off the back of Milan’s European success in the April of 2007, the 92-cap Brazil international became the eighth player of the Rossoneri persuasion to be crowned with the Ballon d’Or.

As the footballing cult hero stepped up to pick up the award, he insisted that it didn’t come as a massive surprise.

“To be honest, I was expecting it a little bit,” Kaka uttered coolly. “I won the Champions League and was the competition’s top scorer. That’s what made the difference with the others.”

2007 Ballon d’Or Top 20: