Milan: AC Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka defies the model of a modern footballer.
The devoted Christian largely avoids celebrity parties and does not worry too much about his image, expressing himself on the pitch with his mesmeric skill and driving runs.
Concentrating on his football helped the 25-year-old win the Ballon d'Or on Sunday to go with his FIFPro World Player of the Year and UEFA European Club Player of the Year gongs. He is also hot favourite to be named FIFA's World Player of the Year when the award is announced later this month.
His 10 goals in guiding Milan to their seventh European Cup triumph in May set up this flurry of awards in a year without a World Cup or European championship. Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro won last year's Ballon D'Or, also known as the European Player of the Year award, after leading his side to World Cup glory in Germany.
Yet Kaka missed Brazil's Copa America victory in July in order to rest and has still been recognised as the cream of the crop thanks to his form for Milan. His club side have also had a difficult time at domestic level, sneaking into fourth place in Serie A last term after suffering an eight-point deduction for match-fixing.
Always Shone
This season they have had an even worse time and sit in mid table having failed to win at home in the league. Kaka has always shone through however and his energy and passing rather than his goals have this time put Milan into the Champions League knockout stages.
His wife announced last week they were expecting their first son while Kaka said life as an evangelical pastor appealed to him after soccer. Despite this, there are signs that being seen as the world's best player are starting to make him more self-aware.
Kaka is featuring in more adverts and magazine shoots, one talking openly about losing his virginity, while he has consistently hinted in interviews that the prospect of playing for Real Madrid interests him.
Madrid tried to tempt Milan to sell throughout the close season with an 80 million euro ($118 million) offer and the Italian club even acknowledged that Kaka's father and agent had held talks with the Spanish champions.
Another bid seems likely in January or at the end of the season, but Milan can now easily up the price knowing he is officially the world's best player.
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