Kaka - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Full Name: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaká, is a Brazilian retired professional footballer.
- 2. Position: Kaká primarily played as an attacking midfielder, but he was also capable of playing as a forward or winger.
- 3. Club Career: Kaká started his professional career at São Paulo in Brazil before moving to AC Milan in 2003. He had a successful spell at Milan, winning numerous domestic and international titles, including the Serie A title and the UEFA Champions League.
- 4. Real Madrid: In 2009, Kaká transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee of €65 million. He spent four seasons at the club, although injuries hampered his time there, and he was unable to replicate the same level of success as he did at Milan.
- 5. Return to AC Milan: Kaká returned to AC Milan on loan in 2013 before signing a permanent deal with the club. He spent one more season at Milan before leaving for MLS side Orlando City in 2014.
- 6. International Career: Kaká made his debut for the Brazilian national team in 2002 and went on to represent his country in multiple major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the Copa America. He was part of the Brazil squad that won the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
- 7. Ballon d'Or: Kaká won the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in 2007 after an outstanding season with AC Milan. He became the last player to win the award before Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated it for the next decade.
- 8. Style of Play: Kaká was known for his pace, skill, vision, and goalscoring ability. He was a versatile attacking player who could create chances for his teammates as well as score goals himself.
- 9. Injuries: Throughout his career, Kaká struggled with various injuries that hampered his playing time and affected his performances. Despite these setbacks, he was able to achieve great success at the highest level of football.
- 10. Retirement: Kaká announced his retirement from professional football in 2017, ending a successful career that saw him play for top clubs in Europe and represent his country at the highest level. He is now involved in various charitable and ambassadorial roles in the sport.