Fédération International de Footballeurs Professionels (FIFPro) have announced the results after their 57,500 members voted for their favourites from the 2006-07 season.

After Ronaldinho retained the honour last year, his compatriot Kaká has lifted the award this time and as clearly delighted.

“I am humbled to receive such an honour," the AC Milan star told the FIFPro website. "To follow my good friend and such a great player as Ronaldinho makes this a very special award for me.

"To be recognized by my fellow professional players worldwide coming from over 50,000 players is amazing. I would like to thank my teammates and coaches and everyone involved at Milan and the national team, as well as my family and friends for their support.

"Thank you also to FIFPro for this award and for your work in protecting the interests and welfare of players around the world."

While Kaká earned a place in the World XI, it was Barça that gained the most nominations with Carles Puyol, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho being named in the side.

Gianluigi Buffon retained his place as the favourite keeper, while Fabio Cannavaro was also named in the team again along with Ronaldinho from the 2005-06 vote.

The FIFPro World XI for 2006-07: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus FC), John Terry (Chelsea FC), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid CF), Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Kaká (AC Milan), Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona), Didier Drogba (Chelsea FC), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona).

What does managers, trainers, support personnel, 30+ leagues and 15,000 players have in common?

They are all part of the 20% extra you get in this year’s FIFA Soccer 2008. Don’t worry EA Sports FIFA Soccer 2008 is the American title. Basically, everywhere else, it will still be FIFA Football 2008. We all know there can be only one football!

The Shot

The FIFA series is improving with every release and it is no different this year. In the previous version we’ve seen an improvement in ball movement and player animation. The focus in 08 is - the shot. The difference between success and failure of a shot will depend on air resistance, backspin, player skill and the force you apply to the ball. Now you can expect to see different shots from the player’s foot depending on the situation. If you are dribbling at full speed it will be tougher to score if you just stop, turn and shoot the ball, where as a player that has a wide open straight lane to the net, will find it easier. The player dribbling at full speed will have his shooting meter fill up faster, than the player moving slowly, but again it all depends on the player’s skills. In other words - tougher shots will fill up the meter faster.

Be a Pro

A new feature in the series, is the “Be a Pro” mode. Some people might already know it from the NFL-series (Superstar mode). You will play the position of any one player from striker to sweeper during the entire match. You are responsible for his assignments and roles, with helpful arrows on the pitch, that shows you, your area of responsibility and which members of the opposite team you’re assigned to mark. The camera will follow you on the pitch, with the Gears of War-inspired chase cam, when you break into full sprint with the ball. At halftime you get feedback on your progress and you’ll be ranked at the end of the match depending on how much you contributed. This is tied in to the Xbox360 achievement system.

The “Be a Pro” mode is only available offline, but in a few years, it is EA Sports’ goal of having 11 different people, from anywhere in the world, play 11 different people from another part of the world, online!!

What else is new?

The trick system is improved. FIFA 08 has borrowed a bit from NBA Street HomeCourt, but do not expect any un-realistic double backflips and a scissor kick. As previously mentioned there is a new camera angle, inspired by the Gears-of-War’s chase cam, every time you sprint. Running at top speed will also make you less agile and skillful. Of course, the player detail is improved, yet again. In FIFA 07, Wayne Rooney looked more like Shrek, than what he does in real life. In 08, Wayne Rooney looks like Wayne Rooney.

Also, there are supposed to be 30 leagues confirmed in the game. In FIFA 07, there was only 27. The FAI Premier League of Ireland, has already been established in FIFA 08. So, what are the other three? Rumour has it, that the Australian A-league and Czech Gambrinus League will be the other two new ones. This has sparked a lively discussion on many forums, since a lot of FIFA fans believe their local league belongs in the FIFA series. Especially, the South Americans. They really hoped the Argentinian league would be featured in FIFA 08. They argue that the English Football League One and Two should be removed and replaced by the Argentinian and the Chilean football leagues.

But, as always expect FIFA 2008 to be out before Christmas. It is scheduled to be released this fall for all platforms, Xbox360, Nintendo Wii and DS, Playstation 2 and 3, PSP and PC.

If you want to know more, then please visit FIFA 2008 News to get the latest news.

Alexandre Pato, or Alexander the duck, has just signed with the current European Champions, AC Milan, of the Serie A, in Italy, for an undisclosed fee. He is transfering from Sporting Clube Internacional of Brazil, where he made a name for himself. It has to be said, that the Milan fans have bragging rights, as this Brazilian kid, was wanted by, practically everyone, from Barcelona to Chelsea. Pato definitely has the skill and the talent to become the next Ronaldo, the next Kaka, or the next Ronaldinho. I am, very much, looking forward to seeing him play for Il Rossoneri, in the seasons ahead, but we won't be seeing him play, until Janurary, because he is a non-EU, minor, which means he is not a European citizen. So...

What are your thoughts on this??

Ok, so I was proven wrong. I said in my other post, that Brazil looked like they were beaten and dead. But, with the 6-1 win over Chile, I see the truth. Brazil are back, no doubt, and if they go all the way to the final, the 6 goals they scored earlier today, will be looked at, as the turning point. By the time Vagner Love scored the 6th goal, I had forgotten who scored the first. Brazil have proven to me that, yes, they can play without Ronaldinho and Kaka, if they concentrate and not be too casual. Yes, indeed, Brazil still have the Ginga!