INQUIRER Sports

JOHANNESBURG—Spanish giants Real Madrid's recent signing Brazil midfielder Kaka was awarded the Golden Ball on Sunday after being voted best footballer at the Confederations Cup.

Striker Luis Fabiano, a teammate in the side that came from two goals behind to defeat the United States 3-2 in the final, finished second and American midfielder Clint Dempsey third.

Fabiano collected the Golden Boot for being leading scorer with five goals and USA goalkeeper Tim Howard received the Golden Glove as the best in his position at the dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Kaka paid tribute to his teammates for taking Brazil to the title and allowing him to win the player of the tournament.

"I'm very happy to be player of the final and championship," said the former AC Milan man whose transfer to Madrid becomes official on Tuesday.

"Most important, as I've said before, I can only be player of the tournament because Brazil are the champions and if they weren't then I wouldn't get this award, so I would like to thank my teammates."

Asked about his new start at Real Madrid, Kaka said: "With respect to my new life at Madrid, I will talk about it on Tuesday when I'm officially their player.

"I've managed to get my first cup and I hope the winning ways will continue in future in this new phase of my life."