Pele has dubbed AC Milan midfielder Kaka "the best
player in the world", ahead of Manchester United's Cristiano
Ronaldo.
Real Madrid target Kaka, 25, was in sparkling form in Europe this
season and won Pele's admiration after leading AC Milan to a
seventh Champions League/European Cup crown.
The Brazil international finished as top scorer in the competition
with 10 goals, including three in the Rossoneri's 5-3 aggregate
semi-final win against United.
"Kaka is the best player in the world, without a doubt," said Pele
in Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Kaka and Portugal international Ronaldo have arguably been the
stars of European football this past season, with the media and
pundits alike clamouring to have their say on who is the more
talented of the two.
Ronaldo, 22, recently won the English PFA Players' Player and Young
Player of the Year awards, and walked off with the 2007 Portuguese
Footballer of the Year gong in the wake of his starring role in
United's successful Premiership campaign.
But for Pele, compatriot Kaka has the edge over the talented
winger.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in England," he added. "But
from that to being the best player in the world there is still some
way.
"Kaka is a player with great quality and that makes him stronger
than Cristiano Ronaldo and that will help him become one of the
best players ever."
