KAKA

Published on 16 March 2025 at 02:49

FULL NAME: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

NATIONALITY: Brazil

DATE OF BIRTH: April 22, 1982

POSITION: Attacking Midfielder

TEMS PLAYED:

Youth Career:
- 1994-2000: Sao Paulo
Senior Career:
- 2000-2003: Sao Paulo
- 2003-2009: AC Milan
- 2009-2013: Real Madrid
- 2013-2014: AC Milan
- 2014-2017: Orlando City
- 2014: à Sao Paulo (loan)
International Career:
- 2001: Brazil U20
- 2002-2016: Brazil

Kaka began his career at age 18 at Sao Paolo in Brazil. Three years later, in 2003, he joined AC Milan in Italy. He helped AC Milan win the Serie A title on his first season and in the 2003-2004 in finishing runner-up in the UEFA Champions League. Kaka finished on top, as the player with the most assists of the tournament, he also won the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year award. In the 2006-2007, AC Milan would reach glory in the Champions League thanks to Kaka, as he finished that season as the Champions League top scorer. This year, also saw Kaka win the Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award. After six years with the Italian giants, Kaka moved to Spain to join the Spanish giants – Real Madrid. A fee that cost them 67 million Euros, which was the second highest transfer fee at that time. Unfortunately, his time at Madrid was nowhere near high as his time in Milan. Plagues with injuries, his form and confidence took a dip. In 2013, he returned back to Milan for one last season before going to the USA. In 2014, thanks to the expansion draft, USA club Orlando City SC would sign Kaka.

In 2002, Kaka made his debut for the Brazilian national team. He was selected for the World Cup squad in the Korea-Japan World Cup edition. That year saw Brazil beat European giants – Germany – by two goals to nil. He also got to play in the 2006 World Cup squad, where he played alongside veterans like, Ronaldo, Adriano, and Ronaldinho. His final World Cup appearance was in 2010. He was also included in the 2005 and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup-winning squads. In 2009, he won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Between 2006 and 2009, Kaka was named in both the FIFA World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year a total of three times. AC Milan inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2010. Kaka is one of nine players to win the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or.

In 2017, he decided that it would be time to hang the cleats and called time on his illustrious career.

STATS

SAO PAULO

At the Age of 15, Kaka signed his a contract with his boyhood club and lef them to Copa de Juvenil glory. In 2001 he made his senior debut with the club scoring 12 goals in 27 apperances. He also led Sao Paulo to their first and only Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo championship - scoring two goals in two minutes, coming in as a sub. See his full stats - sao paulo - stats.pdf

Although a short spell, Kaka enjoyed his second run at first professional club, Sao Paulo. Thanks to Orlando City for lending him, he defined this gesture as really satisfying. - sao paulo - stats 2nd run.pdf

AC MILAN

Spending 8.5 million Euros, which at that time club owner described this as "peanuts." It took Kaka only a month to crack into the starting lineup. Beating out Rui Costa in the attacking midfield position. Kaka would start behind Jon Tomasson, Filippo Inzaghi, and Andriy Shechenko. In his first season, he would score 10 goals in 30 apperances. In 2007, AC Milan would bring the UEFA Cahmpions League title to Italy. Beating Liverpool 2-1. The following season would cement Kaka as one of the best, winning the EUFA Super Cup (beating Sevilla 3-1) and winning the Club World Cup (beating Boca Juniors 4-2) it was no surprise that on December 2, 2007 Kaka became the 8th AC Milan player to win the Ballon d'Or. See Kaka's full stats - ac milan - stats.pdf

In 2013, AC Milan announed that Kaka will be returning on a 2 year deal on a free transfer from Madrid. Unfortunately, his first match with Milan he tore his left abductor muscle. While he was sidelined, he told Milan that he would not take any wages until he comes back fully-fit. in January 7, 2014, he scored his 100th goal for Milan against Atalanta. In March 29, 2014, Kaka celebrated his 300th carreer match for AC Milan by scoring twice against Chievo. See Kaka's stats on his second run for AC Milan. See Kaka's full stats on the second run with the club - ac milan - stats 2nd run.pdf

REAL MADRID

In 2009, Spanish giants, Real Madrid made a bid to AC Milan for the midfielder. Milan vice-president and CEO, Gallani, mentioned that if Kaka was to leave AC Milan, it would be economic. Real Madrid bid a total of 68.5 million Euros for the midfielder, putting AC Milan in a tough postion. They did not want to lose that kind of money. On June 8th, Real Madrid announced the signing of the midifielder on a six-year deal for 67 million Euros deal. On his first season with Los Blancos, Kaka scored 8 goals and 6 assists finishing runner-ups in La Liga. On his second season, Kaka was forced to miss sometime due to a surgery on a long-standing knee injury. In 2011, he suffered from ITBS, keeping him sidelined for a few weeks. In the 2011-2012 season, Real Madrid won the league with a record 100 points. In 2013, Kaka expressed his desires to leave Real Madrid, having scored 29 goals and providing 32 assists in 120 apperances in all competitions. See Kaka's full stats - real madrid - stats.pdf

ORLANDO CITY SC

Kaka joined Orlando City SC as their first Designated Player. Kaka mentioned that it was because of the Brazilian club owner that he decided to go to Orlando. Until Orlando entered the MLS in 2015, Kaka was loaned out to first club Sao Paulo. Kaka became the highest-paid player in MLS history with a base salary of $6.6 million per year and with a guaranteed compensation of $7.2 million per year. Despite being unable to help Orlando City reach the MLS playoffs, Kaka ended his first season with 9 goals and 7 assistsin 28 apperances. On the following season, Kaka was forced to miss the frist three matches due to injury. His second season, also ended in no playoffs unfortunately. See Kaka's stats in Orlando City - orlando city sc - stats.pdf

TROPHIES & AWARDS

AWARD/TROPHIES	TEAM (year)
Best FIFA Men's Player	AC Milan (2007)
Ballon d'Or	AC Milan (2007)
UEFA BEst Player in Europe	AC Milan (2007)
World Cup	Brazil (2002)
Champions League	AC Milan (2006/2007)
FIFA Club World Cup	AC Milan (2008)
Serie A	AC Milan (2003/2004)
La Liga	Real Madrid (2011/2012)
UEFA Supercup	AC Milan (2007/2008)
Copa del Rey	Real Madrid (2010/2011)
Italian Super Cup	AC Milan (2004/2005)
Spanish Super Cup	Real Madrid (2012/2013)
Confederations Cup x2	Brazil (2005 & 2009)