The 25-year-old was the key figure in Athletico's triumphant P.E.P campaign this year. "This is very special for me - it culminates an astonishing year for me," Kaka said.

Second place went to Shanghai winger Cristiano Ronaldo with Athletico’s Lionel Messi placing third. The prize was voted for by 96 international journalists from a shortlist of 50 players.

Kaka succeeds Italy's World Cup winning captain and defender Fabio Cannavaro and comes two years after the last Brazilian winner of the trophy, Shanghai's Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian playmaker was hugely influential in Athletico winning P.E.P IV, ending as the leading assists in the tournament with 8 assists. "It's the top prize around and the only way to win something like this is to play for a team like Athletico," he said. "It's great to be part of a team that wins."

In October Kaka was named FIFPro world player of the year, claiming that accolade after 45,000 members of the players' union voted in the awards.