Kaka believes Cristiano Ronaldo is in pole position to take his coveted World Footballer of the Year crown this year.

The Brazilian scooped the award last year, as well as the European Golden Ball, after inspiring the Italian giants to their Champions League success in 2007.

The Portuguese winger did exactly the same for Manchester United this summer, leading Kaka to believe his rival is the "number one candidate".

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport's Sportweek magazine: "I believe that the number one candidate is still Cristiano Ronaldo, above all for what he did and won in the Champions League with Manchester United."

Kaka, meanwhile, is hoping for a better season with Milan after his side were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal and could then only finish fifth in Serie A, outside the Champions League qualifying positions.

The 26-year-old said: "It will be a different season with lots of new inspirations."

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