Kaká

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Kaká
Kaká vs Real Sociedad 2011.jpg
Kaká with Real Madrid in February 2011
Personal information
Full name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite
Date of birth 22 April 1982 (1982-04-22) (age 29)
Place of birth Brasília, Brazil
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club Real Madrid
Number 8
Youth career
1994–2000 São Paulo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2003 São Paulo 59 (23)
2003–2009 Milan 193 (70)
2009– Real Madrid 49 (18)
National team
2002– Brazil 82 (27)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 October 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 2 July 2010

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁiˈkaɾdu iˈzɛksõw duˈsɐ̃tus ˈlejtʃi]; born 22 April 1982), commonly known as Kaká (play /kæˈkɑː/), is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid[2] and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club. At the time, he also played tennis,[3] and it was not until he moved on to São Paulo FC and signed his first professional contract with the club at the age of fifteen that he chose to focus on football.

In 2003 he joined Milan for a fee of €8.5 million. While at Milan, Kaká won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2007. After his success with Milan, Kaká joined Real Madrid for a world record fee of £56 million, smashing the previous record of Zidane, £49 million.[4] Kaká's record was later broken by Cristiano Ronaldo when he joined Real Madrid for a fee of £80 million. In addition to his contributions on the pitch, Kaká is known for his humanitarian work. In 2004, by the time of his appointment, he became the youngest ambassador of the UN' World Food Programme.[5]

Contents

Early life

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite was born in Brasília to Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite (a civil engineer) and Simone dos Santos (an elementary school teacher).[6] He had a financially secure upbringing that allowed him to focus on both school and football at the same time.[7] His younger brother Rodrigo (best known as Digão) and cousin Eduardo Delani are also professional footballers.

When he was seven, Kaká's family moved to São Paulo.[8] His school had arranged him in a local youth club called "Alphaville," who qualified to the final in a local tournament.[9] There he was discovered by hometown club São Paulo FC, who offered an assignment.[10]

At the age of 18, Kaká suffered a career-threatening and possibly paralysis-inducing spinal fracture as a result of a swimming pool accident,[11][12] but remarkably made a full recovery. He attributes his recovery to God and has since tithed his income to his church.[12]

Club career

São Paulo

Kaká began his career with São Paulo at the age of eight. He signed a contract at fifteen and led the São Paulo youth squad to Copa de Juvenil glory. He made his senior side debut on 1 Feb 2001 and scored 12 goals in 27 appearances, in addition to leading São Paulo to its first and only Torneio Rio-São Paulo championship, in which he scored two goals in two minutes as a substitute against Botafogo in the final, which São Paulo won 2–1.

He scored 10 goals in 22 matches the following season, and by this time his performance was soon attracting attention from European clubs. Kaká made a total of 58 appearances for São Paulo, scoring 23 times.[13]

Milan

Kaká
Kaká and former Brazilian President Lula.

The steady European interest in Kaká culminated in his signing with Italian club AC Milan in 2003 for a fee of €8.5 million, described in retrospect as "peanuts" by club owner Silvio Berlusconi.[14] Within a month, he cracked the starting lineup, and his Serie A debut was in a 2–0 win over Ancona. He scored 10 goals in 30 appearances that season, as Milan won the Scudetto and the UEFA Super Cup.

Kaká was a part of the five-man midfield in the 2004–05 season, usually playing in a withdrawn role behind striker Andriy Shevchenko. He scored seven goals in 36 domestic appearances as Milan finished runner-up in the Scudetto race. Despite Milan losing the 2004–05 Champions League final to Liverpool on penalties, Kaká was still voted the best midfielder of the tournament.

2005–06 saw Kaká score his first hat-tricks in domestic competition. On 9 April 2006, he scored his first Rossoneri hat-trick against Chievo; all three goals were scored in the second half. The following season, he scored his first Champions League hat-trick in a 4–1 group stage win over the Belgian side Anderlecht.

Andriy Shevchenko's departure to Chelsea for the 2006–07 season allowed Kaká to become the focal point of Milan's offense as he alternated between the midfield and striker positions. He finished as the top scorer in the 2006–07 Champions League campaign with ten goals. One of them helped the Rossoneri eliminate Celtic in the quarter-finals on a 1–0 aggregate, and three others proved fatal for Manchester United in the semi-finals, despite Milan losing the first leg.

Kaká in Moscow

Kaká added the Champions League title to his trophy case for the first time when Milan defeated Liverpool on 23 May 2007. Though he went scoreless, he won a free kick that led to the first of Filippo Inzaghi's two goals, and provided the assist for the second. For his stellar play throughout the competition, he was voted the Vodafone Fans' Player of the Season in a poll of over 100,000 UEFA.com visitors. On 30 August, Kaká was named by UEFA as both the top forward of the 2006–07 Champions League season and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.[15]

Kaká with Milan

He played his 200th career match with Milan in a 1–1 home draw with Catania on 30 September, and on 5 October, he was named the 2006–07 FIFPro World Player of the Year. On 2 December 2007, Kaká became the eighth Milan player to win the Ballon d'Or, as he finished with a decisive 444 votes, long ahead of runner-up Cristiano Ronaldo.[16] He signed a contract extension through 2013 with Milan on 29 February 2008.[17]

Due to his contributions on and off the pitch, Time magazine named Kaká in the Time 100, a list of the world's 100 most influential people, on 2 May.[18] On 14 October, he cast his footprints into the Estádio do Maracanã's sidewalk of fame, in a section dedicated to the memory of the country's top players.[19] He won the honor again in 2009.[20]

BBC reported on 13 January 2009 that Manchester City made a bid for Kaká for over £100 million. Milan director Umberto Gandini replied that Milan would only discuss the matter if Kaká and Manchester City agreed to personal terms.[21] Kaká initially responded by telling reporters he wanted to "grow old" at Milan and dreamed of captaining the club one day, but later said, "If Milan want to sell me, I’ll sit down and talk. I can say that as long as the club don’t want to sell me, I'll definitely stay."[22] On 19 January, Silvio Berlusconi announced that Manchester City had officially ended their bid after a discussion between the clubs, and that Kaká would remain with Milan.[23] Milan supporters had protested outside the club headquarters earlier that evening, and later chanted outside Kaká's home, where he saluted them by flashing his jersey outside a window.[24]

Real Madrid

Kaká during his presentation with Real Madrid
Kaká with Real Madrid against Tottenham in the UEFA Champions League

On 3 June 2009, Football Italia reported that newly-elected Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez had offered Milan a €68.5 million deal for Kaká,[25] two days after the player had left for international duty with Brazil.[26] Milan vice president Adriano Galliani did not deny the reports, and confirmed that he and Kaká's father, Bosco Leite, had traveled to Mexico to meet with La Volpe. "We had lunch and spoke about Kaká. I don't deny it. Negotiations exist, but a deal has yet to be done."[27] On 4 June, Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport that financial reasons were his motive for the talks with La Volpe. "We cannot allow [Milan] to lose €70 million [...] The reasons behind Kaká's departure would be economic."[27] On 8 June, Milan and Real Madrid confirmed Kaká has moved to the Bernabéu on a six-year deal.[28]

Kaká made his unofficial debut on 7 August 2009, in a 5–1 friendly victory against Toronto FC.[29] He scored his first goal for Madrid during a pre-season match on 19 August 2009, in a 5–0 victory against Borussia Dortmund.[30] Kaká later made his league debut on 29 August 2009 in a 3–2 win against Deportivo La Coruña.[31] He scored his first goal, a penalty kick, on 23 September, in a 2–0 against Villarreal.[32] On 5 August 2010, Real Madrid announced that Kaká had undergone a successful surgery on a long-standing left knee injury and would face up to four months on the sidelines.[33] Kaká returned to training after a long lay-off and manager Jose Mourinho said that having Kaká back was like a new signing.[34][35]

Kaká with Real Madrid

After an eight-month absence, Kaká returned to play by entering as a substitute for Karim Benzema on the 77th minute of a 3–2 victory over Getafe on 3 January 2011. He said he was "(...) happy for playing a game again and for stepping onto a pitch."[36] His first league goal (and his first of the season) after his return from injury came with an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo on a 4–2 victory over Villareal on 9 January.[37]

In March 2011 Kaká suffered from Iliotibial band syndrome which kept him sidelined for a few weeks. After returning from injury, he appeared in a convincing win over Valencia, scoring two goals.

On 27 September, Kaká experienced one of his best matches as a Real Madrid player during a 3-0 victory over Ajax in the Champions League, as he scored one goal, provided one assist and participated in one of the best team build-ups of the matchday: a counterattacking move involving Özil, Ronaldo and Benzema.[38] He was later chosen the best player of the Champions League Matchday.[39]

With this match, Kaká experienced one of the best starts to a season he's ever had, scoring two goals, serving two assists and provoking one penalty for his team.[40]

International career

Kaká with Brazil

Kaká was called up for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, but the Brazilians crashed out to Ghana in the quarter-finals. Several months later, he made his debut for the senior Brazil squad in a friendly match against Bolivia on 31 January 2002. He was part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, but played only 25 minutes,[41] all of which were in the first round match against Costa Rica.

In 2003, Kaká was the captain for the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament, where Brazil, competing with their under-23 team, finished as runner-up to Mexico. He scored three goals during the tournament. He was included in Brazil's squad for 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany. He appeared in all five matches and scored one goal in a 4–1 win over Argentina in the final.

Kaká started in his first FIFA World Cup finals in 2006 and scored his first and only goal of the tournament in Brazil's 1–0 victory over Croatia in Brazil's opener, for which he was named Man of the Match.[42] He was unable to keep up the momentum for the remainder of the tournament, as Brazil was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals. In a friendly against rivals Argentina on 3 September 2006, after entering as a substitute, he received the ball off a deflection from an Argentina corner kick and outran Lionel Messi while taking the ball down three quarters of the field to score.[43]

On 12 May 2007, citing an exhaustive schedule of Serie A, Champions League, and national team play, Kaká bowed out of the 2007 Copa América, which Brazil won.[44] After missing out on the Copa América, he returned to play in Brazil's friendly match against Algeria on 22 August 2007.

Kaká participated in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, marking his first international tournament since the 2006 World Cup. His only two goals came in Brazil's group stage opener against Egypt on 14 June, when he scored a goal in the fifth minute and then added a 90th-minute penalty in Brazil's 4–3 victory.[45] He received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament at the Confederations Cup and was also named the Man of the Match in the final after helping Brazil to a 3–2 win against the United States.[46][47][48]

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, during the 20 June match against Côte d'Ivoire, Kaká received a red card after receiving two yellow cards. The second card was given for an elbow in the direction of Abdul Kader Keïta. Kaká was innocent in the incident leading to the second yellow card, The Telegraph called this "an innocuous off the-the-ball incident".[49] Kaká ended the tournament with three assists in total, and Brazil eventually ended up losing 2–1 to the Netherlands.

After more than one year absence from the national team, Kaká was recalled on 27 October 2011 for the friendly matches against Gabon and Egypt in November.[50]

Personal life

Kaká with his wife Caroline
Kaká's boots

Kaká married his childhood sweetheart Caroline Celico on 23 December 2005 at a Rebirth in Christ church in São Paulo.[51] Their first child, Luca Celico Leite, was born in São Paulo on 10 June 2008.[52] On 8 December 2010, Kaká announced Celico was pregnant with their second child, a daughter.[53] She was born late at night on 23 April 2011 and named Isabella.

Kaká was sworn in as an Italian citizen on 12 February 2007.[54] He features prominently in Adidas advertising and also has a modeling contract with Armani, the latter preventing him from appearing in a photo collection alongside his Milan teammates that was published by Dolce & Gabbana in early 2007.

Raí, the former Brazilian and São Paulo FC captain, has always been the footballing role model of Kaká.[55][56]

Kaká's best friend is fellow Brazilian Marcelo Saragosa who plays as a midfielder for the team FC Absheron in Azerbaijan. They both served as best man at each other's wedding.[57]

Kaká is a follower of the evangelical Rebirth in Christ Church[58] and devout evangelical Christian. Kaká became engrossed in religion at the age of 12: "I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not." He removed his jersey to reveal an "I Belong to Jesus" t-shirt and openly engaged in prayer moments after the final whistle of Brazil's 2002 World Cup, and Milan's 2004 Scudetto and 2007 Champions League triumphs. He also had the same phrase, along with "God Is Faithful," stitched onto the tongues of his boots.[59] During the postmatch celebration following Brazil's 4–1 win over Argentina in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup final, he and several of his teammates wore t-shirts that read "Jesus Loves You" in various languages. While receiving the FIFA World Footballer of the year in 2007 he said when he was young he just wanted to be a professional player for SaoPaolo and play one game for the Brazil national Team but the God gave him more than he ever asked for".[60]


Though sharing a common goal, Kaká is not currently a formal member of the organization Atletas de Cristo ("Athletes of Christ").[61] In goal celebrations he usually points to the sky as a gesture of thanks to God. Kaká's favourite music is gospel,[62] and his favourite book is the Bible.[63] Since November 2004, he has served as an Ambassador Against Hunger for the UN' World Food Programme, the youngest to do so at the time of his appointment.[5]

On August 2010, EA Sports announceed that Kaká has been chosen for the cover of FIFA 11.[64]

Kaká has a musical side to himself as he performed a song with his wife, Caroline, on her debut album. The song, entitled Presente de Deus, was written by Kaká himself for his wife and was resonated in the church during their wedding in 2005.[65]

His nickname is pronounced as it is spelled, with stress on the second syllable (About this sound pronunciation ), and is a common term of endearment of "Ricardo" in Brazil. In Kaká's case, it was created by his younger brother Digão calling him "Caca" due to his inability to pronounce "Ricardo" when they were young; it eventually evolved into Kaká.[59]

Career statistics

Club

Club Season League Cup Continental1 Other2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
São Paulo 2001 27 12 7 1 5 0 39 13
2002 22 9 9 6 31 15
2003 10 2 5 0 15 2
Total 59 23 21 7 5 0 85 30
Milan 2003–04 30 10 3 0 10 4 1 0 44 14
2004–05 36 7 1 0 13 2 1 0 51 9
2005–06 35 14 2 0 12 5 49 19
2006–07 31 8 2 0 15 10 48 18
2007–08 30 15 0 0 8 2 3 2 41 19
2008–09 31 16 1 0 4 0 36 16
Total 193 70 9 0 62 23 5 2 269 95
Real Madrid 2009–10 25 8 1 0 7 1 33 9
2010–11 14 7 3 0 3 0 20 7
2011–12 10 3 0 0 2 1 1 0 13 4
Total 49 18 4 0 12 2 1 0 66 20
Career totals 301 111 34 7 79 25 6 2 420 145

Statistics accurate as of 29 October 2011.[66]
1Continental competitions include the Copa Mercosul, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup
2Other tournaments include the Supercoppa Italiana, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup

Source: Realmadrid.com – Kaká

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 March 2002 Cuiabá, Brazil  Iceland 6–1 Win Friendly
2. 19 July 2003 Miami, USA  Colombia 2–0 Win CONCACAF Gold Cup 2003
3. 19 July 2003 Miami, USA  Colombia 2–0 Win CONCACAF Gold Cup 2003
4. 23 July 2003 Miami, USA  United States 2–1 Win CONCACAF Gold Cup 2003
5. 7 September 2003 Barranquilla, Colombia  Colombia 1–2 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2006
6. 11 October 2003 Curitiba, Brazil  Uruguay 3–3 Draw FIFA World Cup Qualification 2006
7. 28 April 2004 Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 1–4 Win Friendly
8. 10 October 2004 Maracaibo, Venezuela  Venezuela 2–5 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2006
9. 10 October 2004 Maracaibo, Venezuela  Venezuela 2–5 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2006
10. 27 March 2005 Goiânia, Brazil  Peru 1–0 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2006
11. 29 June 2005 Frankfurt, Germany  Argentina 4–1 Win FIFA Confederations Cup 2005
12. 10 November 2005 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  United Arab Emirates 0–8 Win Friendly
13. 4 June 2006 Geneva, Switzerland  New Zealand 4–0 Win Friendly
14. 13 June 2006 Berlin, Germany  Croatia 1–0 Win FIFA World Cup 2006
15. 3 September 2006 London, England  Argentina 3–0 Win Friendly
16. 10 October 2006 Stockholm, Sweden  Ecuador 2–1 Win Friendly
17. 15 November 2006 Basel, Switzerland  Switzerland 1–2 Win Friendly
18. 24 March 2007 Göteborg, Sweden  Chile 4–0 Win Friendly
19. 12 September 2007 Foxborough, USA  Mexico 3–1 Win Friendly
20. 17 October 2007 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Ecuador 5–0 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2010
21. 17 October 2007 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Ecuador 5–0 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2010
22. 18 November 2007 Lima, Peru  Peru 1–1 Draw FIFA World Cup Qualification 2010
23. 11 October 2008 San Cristobal, Venezuela  Venezuela 4–0 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2010
24. 6 June 2009 Montevideo, Uruguay  Uruguay 4–0 Win FIFA World Cup Qualification 2010
25. 15 June 2009 Bloemfontein, South Africa  Egypt 4–3 Win 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
26. 15 June 2009 Bloemfontein, South Africa  Egypt 4–3 Win 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
27. 7 June 2010 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania  Tanzania 1–5 Win Friendly

Honours

Club

São Paulo
Milan
Real Madrid

Country

Individual

References

  1. ^ Official Real Madrid profile
  2. ^ "Real Madrid Official announcement". Real Madrid. 8 June 2009. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202773590614/noticia/ComunicadoOficial/OFFICIAL_ANNOUNCEMENT_2009-06-08.htm. 
  3. ^ "Kaká:in Profile". FIFA. 26 June 2009. http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player=184312/profile.html. 
  4. ^ "Kaka joins Real Madrid in world record $89 million transfer". Inquisitr.com. 9 June 2009. http://www.inquisitr.com/25559/kaka-transfers-to-real-madrid-in-world-record-dbp/. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 
  5. ^ a b "Soccer star Kaká puts the floodlights on global hunger" (Press release). World Food Programme. 30 November 2004. http://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/soccer-star-kak%C3%A1-puts-floodlights-global-hunger. Retrieved 15 June 2010. 
  6. ^ (Portuguese) Istoé Gente, Kaká vira fera, 21/Oct/2002.
  7. ^ "Soccer-Fans-Info". Soccer-Fans-Info. 22 April 1982. http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/kaka-biography.html. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 
  8. ^ FIFA Classic Football[dead link]
  9. ^ "Kaka Biography (Portuguese)". Kakamania.br.tripod.com. http://kakamania.br.tripod.com/Kaka/id7.html. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 
  10. ^ "Biography – fantasticoakaka.it (Italian)". Fantasticokaka.it. http://www.fantasticokaka.it/biografia.html. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 
  11. ^ "v-brazil.com". v-brazil.com. http://www.v-brazil.com/culture/sports/football/player/kaka.html. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 
  12. ^ a b Hughes, Rob (1 December 2004). "SOCCER: Kaka able to see beyond dollar signs". International Herald Tribune. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/01/sports/01iht-soccer_ed3_.html. Retrieved 15 June 2010. 
  13. ^ "Kaká – Career History and Profile". About.com. 19 January 2009. http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/soccerprofiles/p/kaka.htm. 
  14. ^ "Heaven sent, with the T-shirt to prove it". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 January 2009. http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/kaka-heaven-sent-with-the-tshirt-to-prove-it/2009/01/15/1231608888625.html. 
  15. ^ "Kaka named UEFA's European club player of the year". Reuters Africa. 31 August 2007. http://africa.reuters.com/sport/news/usnBAN126130.html. [dead link]
  16. ^ "Ballon d'Or: Kaka crowned". Football Italia. Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071204025229/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec2g.html. Retrieved 2 December 2007. 
  17. ^ Burton, Chris (29 February 2008). Kaka will not leave Milan. Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3216237,00.html. Retrieved 1 March 2008 
  18. ^ "Kaká – The 2008 Time 100". TIME. 30 April 2009. http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1733748_1733756_1735884,00.html. Retrieved 7 May 2010. 
  19. ^ "Kaká – Maracanã Hall of Fame". ACMilan.com. http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=73994. 
  20. ^ "Kaká – The 2009 Time 100". TIME. 24 July 2009. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1883644_1886141,00.html. 
  21. ^ Panja, Tariq; Alessandro Poggi (16 January 2009). "AC Milan’s Gandini Says Kaka Will Talk With Manchester City". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aHW0EfCtD08I. 
  22. ^ Marcotti, Gabriele (16 January 2009). "Kaka and Manchester City: three days that shook the football world". The Times (UK). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article5527883.ece. 
  23. ^ "Kaka deal dead but Bellamy signs for £12M". CNN. 19 January 2009. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/01/19/england.manchester/. Retrieved 7 May 2010. 
  24. ^ "Kaka salutes fans pleading with him to stay". Agence France-Presse. 19 January 2009. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jV0MVJBywDb6-1DDf1iePoDFRQVA. Retrieved 20 January 2009. 
  25. ^ "KAKÁ FOR SALE". Football Italia. 3 June 2009. http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun03a.htmlI. [dead link]
  26. ^ "Kaka will leave". Football Italia. 1 June 2009. http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun01a.htmlI. [dead link]
  27. ^ a b "Galliani: We have to sell Kaká". Football Italia. 3 June 2009. http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun04a.htmlI. [dead link]
  28. ^ "Kaka completes Real Madrid switch". BBC Sport. 9 June 2009. http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  29. ^ Arcedillo, Manuel (8 August 2009). "Kaka, Alonso, Albiol and Arbeloa debut". Realmadrid.com. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202777693753/noticia/Cronica/Kaka,_Alonso,_Albiol_and_Arbeloa_debut.htm. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  30. ^ J. O'Donnell, Michael (19 August 2009). "Goal-scoring efficiency". Realmadrid.com. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202778408056/noticia/Cronica/Goal-scoring_efficiency.htm. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  31. ^ J O´Donnell, Michael (29 August 2009). "Great start". Realmadrid.com. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202781663357/noticia/Cronica/great_start.htm. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  32. ^ Cristobal, Carlos (23 September 2009). "Cristiano and Kaka make it four straight". Realmadrid.com. http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202797535811/noticia/Cronica/Villarreal_0-2_Real_Madrid.htm. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  33. ^ "Kaka out for up to four months after knee surgery". ESPN Soccernet. 5 August 2010. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=811890&sec=europe&cc=5739. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  34. ^ http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/12/18/2266745/kaka-returns-to-squad-training-with-real-madrid-report
  35. ^ http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/12/07/2249759/real-madrid-coach-jose-mourinho-reiterates-belief-that-kaka
  36. ^ http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330033252497/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:__It_was_special_to_play_20_minutes_.htm Kaka: "It was special to play 20 minutes" – RealMadrid.com
  37. ^ http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330034636042/noticia/Cronica/Ronaldo_steals_show_with_hat-trick.htm
  38. ^ http://www.marca.com/2011/09/27/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1317157666.html
  39. ^ http://www.marca.com/debate/2011/09/1931/prevotaciones1931.html
  40. ^ http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330067651506/noticia/Noticia/Kaka_s_great_start_to_the_season.htm
  41. ^ "// Kaka's World Cup Blog – IN ENGLISH!". Kakafans.net. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071016154138/http://kakafans.net/kakablog.php. Retrieved 12 December 2010. 
  42. ^ Budweiser Man of the Match – FIFA.com, June 13, 2006
  43. ^ "New-look Brazil sink Argentina". 4 September 2006. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=105920.html. Retrieved 22 May 2009. 
  44. ^ Tired Kaká to skip Copa America – World Soccer News, 5/12/07
  45. ^ Ashenden, Mark (15 June 2009). "Brazil 4–3 Egypt". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8097813.stm. Retrieved 30 June 2009. 
  46. ^ "Top awards for Brazilian duo". FIFA.com. 28 June 2009. http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1077806.html#top+awards+brazilian. Retrieved 30 June 2009. 
  47. ^ Dawkes, Phil (28 June 2009). "US 2–3 Brazil". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8120561.stm. Retrieved 30 June 2009. 
  48. ^ "Kaká Fact File". Espnstar. http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/. 
  49. ^ "Kaka dismissal spoils successful night for Samba Stars". The Daily Telegraph (London). 20 June 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/brazil/7842390/Kaka-dismissal-spoils-successful-night-for-Samba-Stars.html. Retrieved 20 June 2010. 
  50. ^ Seleção Brasileira está convocada
  51. ^ Downie, Andrew (19 January 2009). "Seven dead and dozens injured after 'Kaka's church' collapses during service". The Daily Telegraph (UK). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/4286613/Seven-dead-and-dozens-injured-after-Kakas-church-collapses-during-service.html. Retrieved 9 January 2009. 
  52. ^ "Kaka ties the knot". Daily Star. 24 December 2008. http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/12/24/d51224041745.htm. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  53. ^ "Tweet". Twitter. 8 December 2010. http://twitter.com/RealKaka/status/12517125235146752. Retrieved 9 January 2011. "It's with great joy, that I confirm that my lovely wife @cacelico is pregnant of our 2nd child !! Now it's a girl !!" 
  54. ^ Brazilian Kaká gets Italian citizenship – People's Daily Online, 13 February 2007
  55. ^ "Kaká: A dream come true". FIFA. 17 December 2007. http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid=663469.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  56. ^ Hughes, Rob (18 December 2007). "Kaká leads a Brazilian celebration". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/sports/18iht-SOCCER.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
  57. ^ "FC Dallas Updates: AC Milan or Liverpool?". Blogger. 22 May 2007. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070911084241/http://web.archive.org/web/20070911084241/http://worldcupway.blogspot.com/2007/05/ac-milan-or-liverpool.html. 
  58. ^ Rohter, Larry (19 March 2007). "Brazil’s Top TV Preachers Land in Hot Water in Miami". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/19/world/americas/19brazil.html. Retrieved 15 September 2009. 
  59. ^ a b Mitten, Andy (4 June 2006). "The golden boy of a golden team". The Independent (London). http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/the-golden-boy-of-a-golden-team-481010.html. Retrieved 15 June 2010. 
  60. ^ BBC, page. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7121175.stm. 
  61. ^ "Interview". Atletas de Cristo. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070202175708/http://www.atletasdecristo.org/eng/kaka.htm. Retrieved 26 December 2006. 
  62. ^ "Public Chat Session". RickyKaka.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927075229/http://www.rickykaka.com/en/index.php?function=show_all&no=120. Retrieved 26 December 2006. 
  63. ^ Milan put their faith in Kaka – The Telegraph, 5/2/07
  64. ^ "Kaká is the new FIFA 11 cover star". Inside World Soccer. 6 August 2010. http://www.insideworldsoccer.com/2010/08/kaka-is-fifa-11s-new-cover-star.html. Retrieved 1 September 2010. 
  65. ^ "Kaká makes debut as singer with wife Caroline". Inside World Soccer. 22 September 2010. http://www.insideworldsoccer.com/2010/09/kaka-makes-debut-as-singer-with-wife.html. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
  66. ^ "Kaká". ESPN soccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=21364&cc=4716. Retrieved 21 January 2010. 

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Andriy Shevchenko
UEFA Champions League top scorer
2006–07
Succeeded by
Cristiano Ronaldo
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages