Zurich, Switzerland (My Sportsbook) - Brazilian soccer stars Kaka and Marta were named the FIFA World Player and FIFA Women's World Player for 2007, respectively, at the FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Opera House on Monday.

Kaka was making his debut at the FIFA World Player Gala while Marta takes home the honor for the second straight year.

Kaka takes home the honor mainly on the strength of his performance for his club team, AC Milan, in the UEFA Champions League. He led the Italian club to the prestigious championship win over Liverpool by scoring 10 goals in the tournament.

The attacking midfielder reaped 1,047 points in the vote, in which the coaches and captains of 165 national teams took part. Second place was claimed by Argentina's Lionel Messi with 504 points, with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo taking third on 426. Messi and Ronaldo were also making their first appearances at the FIFA World Player Gala.

Marta's second straight Player of the Year honor was based on her performance in the 2007 Women's World Cup. She scored seven goals to lead Brazil to its first final. Although she missed a penalty kick in the final, a 2-0 loss to Germany, Marta ran away with the award for the tournament's top player.

She had three two-goal games, including a double against the United States in the semifinals. Marta also had two assists, which helped her capture the Golden Shoe, which is given to the tournament's top scorer.

Marta (988 points) won comfortably ahead of Birgit Prinz (507) - FIFA Women's World Player in 2003, 2004 and 2005 - and another first-time nominee, Brazil's Cristiane (150). The coaches and captains of 137 national teams cast their vote for the women's award.

Other awards presented by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter were the FIFA Presidential Award, given to Brazilian legend Pele in recognition of his outstanding services to the game, and the FIFA Fair Play Award, which went to Spanish La Liga side Barcelona. The club has always rejected lucrative shirt sponsorship deals and, since last year, the club's scarlet-and-blue shirts have carried the UNICEF logo. Over a five-year period, Barca will be donating a total of 7.5 million Euros to HIV/AIDS projects run by the United Nations' Children's Fund.