The clichés of the Brazilian soccer player are usually linked to humble origins, nocturnal chaos, and juggling but, in today’s story, we will talk about a boy raised in a wealthy family, who was a great professional and who reached the football elite thanks to his faith in God. Our protagonist had the quality of a Brazilian and the character of a European, and his speed, power, and elegance with the ball at his feet made everyone fall in love with him. Today, in Memories of Football we tell you the story of Kaká, the last Brazilian Ballon d’Or and the last footballer capable of getting involved in a legendary battle between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for being the best in history.
The Beginnings of Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite was born in the Brazilian city of Gama on April 22, 1982, but grew up in São Paulo from the age of 7. “Kaka” began playing soccer in the city of São Paulo and at only 8 he enrolled in the academy of the most famous team in the city.
At São Paulo he became one of the most promising young players in Brazilian football, although at the age of 18 and when he was still about to make his debut in the first team, he suffered an accident that could have been fatal. Kaká broke his neck, jumping from a pool trampoline, and when he arrived at the hospital, he feared if he would be able to walk again. Fortunately, he was able to recover normally, but that mishap increased his faith in God.
Religion and football became the priority of Kaká, who in 2001 achieved his dream of making his debut against Botafogo. Kaká came out in the second half when his team was losing 1-0 and scored the two goals that gave his team the São Paulo championship. From the “10” position, he consolidated himself in the first team, and in his first season, he scored 18 goals in 57 games. The following year, he scored 22 goals in 49 games, and on January 31, 2002, he managed to make his debut with the Brazilian team.
World Champion (2002)
Kaká had only been playing in the elite for a year, but that same summer, he was summoned by Scolari to play World Cup in Japan and Korea. The young playmaker barely played 19 minutes against Costa Rica but was part of an unforgettable team that with Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Ronaldo like stilettos, he proclaimed himself a Five-time World Champion.
Signing for Milan (2003)
Kaká’s career had just begun, but he already had the most precious trophy in his display cases and began to be followed by the great teams of Europe. Real Madrid followed closely after his great performance with the all-star team that visited the Bernabéu to commemorate its Madrid Centennial, but Milan got ahead of the whites by signing the footballer in the summer of 2003. The Rossoneri paid 7.5 million euros for the Brazilian, who was leaving his country after scoring 47 goals and giving away 29 assists in 128 games.
Upon his arrival, Kaká met with several Brazilians in the squad and brought together Cafú, Dida, or Rivaldo his adaptation was perfect. He quickly earned a place in the starting eleven, and his frenetic driving with the ball at his feet and his powerful shot made the San Siro stands fall in love with him. Kaká played 45 games and scored 14 goals in his first season as a Milan player, where he was key to winning the Italian Super Cup, the European Super Cup, and the Serie A Scudetto
The great disappointment of the season would come in the Champions League, where after beating Deportivo 4-1 in the first leg with a double from the Brazilian, Milan ended up suffering an inexplicable comeback in La Coruña. The 4-0 in the second leg eliminated the current champions in the quarterfinals, and Kaká would have to wait a year to seek revenge.
In his second campaign in Italy, Kaká completed his best campaign as an assistant, but the 17 goals his teammates gave away did not translate into titles. Ancelotti’s men lifted the Italian Super Cup at the beginning of the season but finished second in the League and were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Italian Coppa. Their great European season heralded a new European Cup for the Milan fans, but after reaching the final in Istanbul and wasting a 3-0 lead at half-time, Liverpool achieved a miracle still difficult to explain. The Rossoneri lost their advantage and ended up losing the title in the penalty shootout.
Confederations Cup star (2005)
After that disappointment, Kaká was summoned by Brazil to compete in the Confederations Cup, and the Brazilian confirmed in Germany that he had become a star. The attacker started all 5 games of the competition and scored a great goal in the final against Argentina to channel the victory of canCanarinhahe Brazilians won 4-1, and Kaká lifted his second title with the verdeamarela.
Champions and Ballon d’Or (2007)
On his return to Italy, Kaká led Milan in its highest-scoring season, but despite scoring 19 goals, he finished the season without major titles. The team was aging, but Kaká’s progression seemed to have no ceiling. The playmaker went to the World Cup 2006 as one of the figures of the carina, but Zidane’s France stood in the way of the two-time world championship.
Despite the World Cup disappointment, Kaká was unstoppable in the 2006-2007 season, where he starred in magical nights in the Champions League and scored in all the European qualifiers The Brazilian was especially decisive in the semi-finals, where he scored a memorable double in Old Trafford and put the final on track with another goal at San Siro.
The Milanistas rounded off that Champions League by taking revenge on Liverpool in Athens, where they would defeat the English 2-1 and lift his seventh and, to date, last continental title. Kaká managed to fulfill his dream of lifting an Oregon and established himself as the best player in the tournament. His 10 goals throughout the competition made him the top scorer of that edition and would catapult him to win FIFA World Player and the Ballon d’Or.
2007 was the year of his life, but after winning the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup, Milan began to hit rock bottom. The Rossoneri closed 2008 without titles and out of the Champions League, and the project was beginning to recruit old glories that increased its problems. Kaká wanted to lead the future Milanista, but with the economic problems of the Lombard club and a dizzying manManchesterty offer in January 2009, they were about to change history.
The citizens offered more than 100 million euros for the transfer, and although Milan considered the player lost, Kaká declined the offer at the last minute when the signing was taken for granted. The Brazilian rejected a million-dollar offer in exchange for staying with his family in Italy, where he would play for six more months to become a Legend Rossoneri.
Signing for Real Madrid
Despite his frustrated departure to the Premier, Milan still needed money, and Kaká welcomed leaping in his career. In the summer of 2009, Real Madrid tried again to sign him and, with the return of Florentino Pérez to the white presidency, this time his arrival at the Bernabéu was finalized The Brazilian arrived in exchange for 67 million euros and became the first “Galactic” of a new era that other stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, or Benzema
Before getting to know his new house Kaká was the big star of the South African Confederations Cup, where he won the title with Brazil and was designated as the best player in the championship. Upon his arrival at the Bernabéu and under Pellegrini, Kaká reached a good level in his first season, but his 9 goals and 8 assists would be overshadowed by injuries es,pecially by the absence of titles. Madrid completed a great League championship, breaking its points record and one digit behind Barcelona but early elimination against Alcorcón in the Cup and against Lyon in the Champions League caused a change of direction in the merengue project.
Signing for Real Madrid
After his disappointing start in Spain, Kaká arrived at the World Cup 2010 between cotton, and after 4 disappointing games, he said goodbye to the World Cup after being eliminated against the Netherlands After the World Cup Kaká had to have surgery on his left knee, and the injury disrupted the plans of newcomer Mourinho. Madrid decided to bet on the signing of Mesut Ozil, and the Brazilian would not be available until December. The German’s good performance meant that Kaká did not enjoy many opportunities after his recovery, although in his second year as a Real Madrid player, he won the Copa del Rey and contributed 7 goals in 20 games.
After two years without continuity, the footballer faced 2011-2012 wanting to vindicate himself and, despite not starting in most games, he completed his best course in white. Kaká contributed 5 goals and 10 assists to Madrid winning the League of Records, and he completed another 3 goals and another 6 assists in the Champions League. Despite his improvement, the Brazilian was marked by his failure in the penalty shootout against Bayern in the Champions League semi-finals.
In his fourth season as a Real Madrid player, Kaká continued to suck the bench, and his distance from Mourinho translated into fewer and fewer minutes. The Brazilian had a mediocre season, contributing 5 goals in 27 games, and after another bad season without titles, the club decided to find a way out. His quality was not disputed, but his physical condition no longer seemed to be what it was before.
Return to Milan
On September 2, 2013, Real Madrid and Milan reached an agreement for the transfer of Kaká, who returned to the Italian club free of charge and with a contract for two seasons. The Brazilian had to reduce his salary significantly to return to San Siro, where he expanded his legend by surpassing 100 goals with the Rossoneri shirt by entering it. Top 10 of the highest scorers in Milan history. The year of his return was not accompanied by good results, and at the end of the season, both the player and the club agreed to break his contract. Kaká said goodbye to San Siro as a Rossoneri Legend, and after winning 6 titles, playing 307 games, and scoring 104 goals, he remained in Lombard's memory as one of the best footballers in his history.
Retreat in Orlando City
His drop in level in the last five years left him out of the Brazilian team’s squad, and after the disappointment of missing the World Cup in his country, Kaká decided to end his European adventure. The Brazilian signed for Orlando City of the MLS, although before his arrival, he returned to São Paulo to play one last season for the club of his origins.
His landing in the United States revolutionized the North American league, which was able to enjoy Kaká’s last touches for 3 years in which he scored 25 goals in 78 games. In the Florida team, Kaká regained confidence, and his great play made Dunga call him up again for the Brazilian team. The playmaker was called up to play in his first Copa América in 2016, but an untimely injury left him out of the tournament and made him say goodbye permanently to the tournament canarinha After 14 years and 95 games wearing the green-and-yellow shirt, Kaká said goodbye to his team with 1 World Cup, 2 Confederations Cups, and having scored 31 goals and regulating 25 assists.
Ricky played his last game as a professional on October 15, 2017, and, after 16 years of football at the highest level, he retired in tears like a true legend.
