After 461 appearances in his senior career, Brazilian great and former Real Madrid midfielder, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, or Kaka for short, has called it quits on an illustrious career.
From playing in Brazil with São Paulo, to winning a Ballon d’Or with AC Milan in Italy, to great success in Spain with Real Madrid, to wrapping up his career in the United States with Orlando City, Kaka was a one-of-a-kind player.
After 16 years of play, the midfielder has decided this was his last season of competitive football. After playing with MLS side Orlando City since 2014, the Brazilian international said that he has lost his love for the game and has officially retired.
Kaka announced his retirement on Twitter Sunday with this message.
Father,
— Kaka (@KAKA) December 17, 2017
It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus name. Amem.
Pai,
Foi muito mais do que eu pedi ou imaginei!Obrigado! Eis-me aqui para próxima jornada. Em nome de Jesus. Amém. pic.twitter.com/PofZBAV0BE
After playing for some of the biggest teams in the world and helping Orlando City get their footing in Major League Soccer, the memorable career of the man known as Kaka has come to a close. Over the course of his 16 years, Kaka won several awards both individually and with club and country.
The list of individual awards is extensive as he won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 with AC Milan, the last player not named Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to win the award. He also won the FIFA Best Forward and Best Player of the Year awards in 2007. Plus, he was the top scorer in UEFA for the season and managed to win the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year all in the same year.
While playing with Brazil, Kaka won the 2002 FIFA World Cup, as well as the FIFA Confederations Cup in both 2005 and 2009.
During his stint with AC Milan which lasted first from 2003-2009, the midfielder won the Serie A title, a Champions League title during the 2006/2007 season, and both the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in 2007.
Kaka then was transferred to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 and stayed with the Spanish giants until 2013. In his four seasons with Los Blancos, Kaka scored 29 goals and added 32 assists in 120 matches across all competitions.
While with Real Madrid, Kaka won a La Liga title in the 2011/2012 season, as well as the 2010/2011 Copa Del Rey.
He then made a one-year return to Italy with Milan before making the jump to the United States.
At Orlando City, Kaka dominated the American league, scoring 24 goals and providing 22 assists in 75 appearances.
10 years to the day after he won his Ballon d’Or, he retired from the game he dominated in the early to mid-2000’s.
#OnThisDay in 2007 @KAKA won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with Lionel Messi finishing in 2nd and Cristiano Ronaldo in 3rd pic.twitter.com/n1xUw59p2k
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 18, 2017
Football fans and critics around the world have shown their respect to the fantastic career this man had and the tribute videos have been plentiful.
While his career may be over, no one will soon forget the incredible play of the craft Brazilian midfielder and all he accomplished in his career.
Congrats on a wonderful career Kaka! We wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.
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