Kaka - The Prince Of Rossonerri

UEFA champions league semi finals, Milan vs Man United. Two spectacular teams filled with superstars. But one was standout. Brazilian midfielder named Ricarso Izecson dos Santos Leite, loved in one word all around the world as "Kaka". In that game Kaka scored an iconic goal, which is a reflection of his career. Today let's have a look at his illustrious career. The man who made football an art, and took it to the next level.

Kaka had the aura of scholes in terms of controlling the midfield, also he had the potency if Ronaldo Nazario when needed. It was the 2006-2007 season where Milan won the champions league and Kaka finally got something he truly deserved, the Balon D'Or. That too beating both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the competition.

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Kaka was player of quality, high quality. His stature was great. He was a player who could pass, shoot, press, dribble and everything. A complete maestro. He also had the elegance and the touch of class to make his play look soothing to the eye. He had great abilities. He created and scored goals in impossible situations all his life. He was special. With all his skills he made football beautiful. And he made a lot of people fall in love with the game. Including us, many millennials.

It all started at Sao Paulo. 7 years in the club's youth ranks. But his talents didn't go unrecognized in the senior team. As a reward he was called up in the 2002 FIFA world cup team for Brazil. Kaka didn't play much. But he did get the world cup winner's medal. The next year was the start of the career for which Kaka is known today. AC Milan bought him in 2003. His talents didn't take time to make a place in the Milan team. He soon replaced Rui Costa for the playmaker role. The 2003-2004 season was a title winner for Milan. And that season Kaka proved that he can also flourish in Europe. The next year wasn't so great by Milanese standards. Credit to a vigorous Liverpool team which pulled of one of the comebacks in football history. This did not stop Kaka. He went on and kept winning. In that same tournament he was named midfielder of the tournament. Also he got nominated for the Balon D'Or and FIFA best player of the year awards numerous times. Untill he eventually won it in 2007. He also was a part of the fifpro world eleven. And UEFA team of the season. Few weeks later he went on to win the confederations cup with Brazil.

For obvious reasons the season of 2006-2007 is known as Kaka's best season. Because he won the champions league, won the champions league golden boot with 10 goals and also all while providing 5 more assists. All these jewels but Milan that season wasn't the best domestically. They got knocked out from the Coppa Italia semi finals and also managed 4th place in the race for the scudetto. But later that year Milan won the club world cup and the super cup, so it's still a success. And Kaka was named the FIFA player of the year for 2007.

Kaka after spending another top class year in 2008, was transferred to Real Madrid in the Summer of 2009. for about 67 million euros or more. Manchester City wanted Kaka very much, in January of that same year. But Kaka was loyal to Milan and reassured the fans. But it didn't last. He eventually did move due to the financial crisis of Milan. He then played for Real for about 4 years. And won one La Liga and one Copa Del Rey. Then lack of form and injury got the better of him. He did return to Milan after those four years. But he was never the same. He later on hung up his boots in 2017 while playing in the MLS of Orlando City FC.

Kaka is the one for whom many of us started watching football (I'm being one of them). I really wish him a very healthy life from here on.