Squad: Kaka (8)

Kaka

Kaka is the complete package. His vision of the game is unparalleled and his shooting ability strikes fear into opponents. No one in Europe can control the tempo like the Brazilian. He is a consistent assist-man who concludes every season with more than a handful of goals. Kaka’s leadership skills allow him to shoulder any responsibilities that may arise. He’s a man whose football career has been based on his quiet, out-of-the-spotlight life and strong religious convictions.

During his youth team years, Kaka tended to stand out above the rest. Sao Paulo first took notice and by 2001 he had earned a starting spot with the first team, played in 27 matches and scored 12 goals. The following season he knocked in ten goals in 22 matches. After leading Sao Paulo to the Super Campeonato Paulista title in 2002, Kaka debuted with the Brazilian national team. By then, steady European interest in the 21-year old culminated in his signing with AC Milan.

Kaka played in 30 matches and scored ten goals en route to the Scudetto and Italian Super Cup in his first year with Milan. In 2005, the attacking midfielder almost single-handedly carried his team to the Champions League final, which Milan lost in a penalty shootout against Liverpool. In 2007, Kaka became the focal point of Milan’s offense and added Champions League and Club World Cup titles to his trophy case. That same year he went on to win all the top individual accolades, including the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFPro World Player of the Year.

Kaka made his debut for Brazil in a 2002 friendly against Bolivia. That summer he was a member of the 2002 World Cup-winning squad but received very little playing time. In 2005, Kaka was included in Brazil’s squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup and played all five matches, including a goal-scoring performance in the final, while in 2006 he started in his first World Cup. He has been a Seleção mainstay ever since.

Data

• Place of Birth: Brasilia, Brazil
• Date of Birth: 04/22/1982
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 82 kg
• Height: 185.6 cms
• Nationality: Brazilian

Honours (Clubs / National team)

• Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo: 2001
• Super Campeonato Paulista: 2002
• World Cup: 2002
• European Super Cups: 2003, 2007
• Scudetto: 2004
• Supercoppa Italia: 2004
• Confederations Cups: 2005, 2009
• Champions League: 2007
• Club World Cup: 2007
• Copa del Rey: 2011
• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012

Honours (Individual)

• Serie A Player of the Year: 2004
• UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder: 2005
• UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2007
• UEFA Champions League Best Forward: 2007
• FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2007
• Ballon d'Or: 2007
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2007
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: 2009