'Prince', all those who have read the myth in childhood, are to be acquainted with the word. It would be rare to find a person who has not heard this word even if he has not read the fairy tale. As soon as the word is heard, a very handsome figure wearing a gorgeous dress floats in the corner of the mind. In the fairy tales, the heroism of the prince is unique, as if his presence is manifested all around. Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaká or Ricardo Kaká is one such Prince of the beautiful game of Football. But in the history of football Kaká will remain as an unfortunate prince who left with tears in his eyes. One may ask why 'The Unfortunate Prince?' These two incidents are enough to answer that question:
AC Milan vs Liverpool. May 25, 2005 Champions League Final. Wonder in Istanbul.
Maldini, Kafu, Nesta, Pirlo, Kaká - a cold current of fear would come down the spine as soon as the opponent heard the name of Milan. Milan took a 3-0 lead in the first half, almost winning the seventh Champions League title. Then the drama began with Liverpool winning the most dramatic final of the Champions League in a penalty shoot-out. That melancholic face of Kaká on one side, Gerard's wild cheer on the other - the 'Wonder of Istanbul' final is still unforgettable.
A couple of years later, two teams face each other on the same stage. The venue is Athens, the capital of Greece. AC Milan did not miss the opportunity of redemption this time. The 2-1 victory helps the 'Rossoneri' to forget the horrible memories of Istanbul at least a little bit. Referee's last whistle and the scene of Kaká sitting on his knees, raising both hands and thanking God, 'I Belong to Jesus'. Kaká defeated 'Wonder of Istanbul' final that day?
As the goddess of fortune has given Kaká
success with both hands, she returned him empty handed many times. AC Milan, Brazil, Real Madrid, Sao Paulo - the successes and failures of each team have caught him almost in turn. Overjoyed to win the World Cup, as well as drowned in the grief of losing the title on penalties.
But that was not the beginning of Kaká's career. The story of the beginning of his success is quite dramatic and eventful.
After the bars meeting, São Paulo coach Pupo Gimenez and his friend Carlos Sanchez went to see the match between the junior footballers of two local clubs Alphaville and Barueri. Though they came only for entertainment, Pupo's eyes were stuck on one. He found that the kid threw two defenders in the first touch of the right leg. Then he increased the speed and beat the goalkeeper with a strong shot from outside the box. He asked Sanchez “Who is the boy?”
"He is Ricardo, lives in our area."
Pupo made no delay. He met the boy's parents with his friend Sanchez and the story of the rise of the 21st century Prince of Brazil begin.
Before talking to little Ricardo's parents, Pupo thought he would focus on the financial security. Because at that time most families in Brazil were below the poverty line. But as soon as he went to their house, Pupo became astounded; luxurious house, three cars in the garage, there is also a swimming pool. But Pupo's fortune is good. Ricardo and his parents, everyone agreed to the offer to play in the youth squad of São Paulo. At the age of only 5, 'Kaká' entered the academy of the club with a new name on the back of the jersey. Kaká - Ricardo's older brother used to call him by that name because he couldn't call him by his name.
With his own football ability he made his official contract with Sao Paulo in just 15 years, making his debut four years later. The final of the 'Torneiro Rio' tournament. Opponent Botafogo. São Paulo trailed 1-0 until the 76th minute of the match. Coach Alberto Silva introduced Kaká on the field and Kaká just came, saw and conquered. He scored two goals in the 83rd and 85th minutes to lead the team to a title-winning victory from a sure defeat. The following day the headline in the Brazilian newspaper 'Globo Esporte' was 'A chegada de um novo príncipe' which means 'The arrival of a new prince'!
Kaká was the top scorer and best footballer in the Brazilian league in his first season in professional football. Meanwhile the famous European teams are desperate to get him in the squad. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has not avoided this hype about Kaká. He made his international debut in a friendly match against Bolivia in the year of 2002 World Cup. Although completely new, he got a chance in Scolari's World Cup squad due to his talent. Kaká tasted the joy of winning the World Cup with Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Rivaldo's star-studded team at the age of twenty only.
Top scorer and the best player in the Brazilian league in first season; above all Champion in the first World Cup - Kaká had a great start to his professional career. Shifting to Europe was just a matter of time. However, Kaká took a bit more time. He stayed in São Paulo for two more years. He moved to AC Milan in 2003 for 8.5 million euros. AC Milan was then ruling Europe. The team includes stars like Maldini, Nesta, Rui Costa, Inzaghid. Even Scolari himself was doubtful about Kaká's chances of finding a place in the first XI. At that time, Rue Costa was considered one of Europe's best play-makers. With great continuity, Kaká removed Costa and secured a place in the first XI. After Brazil and the world stage, this time he announced his royal entry in Europe in his first season. He won 'Scudetto', 'UEFA Super Cup' for his team. The bag of personal achievement also began to be heavy. He also became the best footballer of Serie A.
Kaká saw the back of the coin for the first time in the 2004-2005 season. Milan started the season by defeating Lazio and winning the Italian Super Cup but Milan could not hold the scudetto that year. The black cloud of a disappointing season disappeared as he won the 2005 Confederations Cup for Brazil. Brazil defeated Argentina 4-1 in the final. Kaká scored with a nice curved shot from Robinho's pass.
Basically after that year, Kaká's career started to take a turn in the road of Ups and downs with a same rhythm of success and failure. He was one of Brazil's most reliable players in the 2006 World Cup. Despite stars like Cafu, Carlos, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Brazil lost to Zidane's France in the quarter-finals that year. It was Kaká's first disappointment in the Brazilian jersey. He used the failure of the World Cup as a motivation, and returned to the field in the next season and this one season is enough to highlights the career of Kaká.
Although fourth in the Italian League and dropped out from the Copa Italia semis, Milan were virtually indomitable in that year's Champions League. He scored a hat-trick against Anderlecht in the group-stage. The scoreline was goalless in both legs in the last 16 against Celtic. In the added time of the second leg, during a counter attack Kaká got the ball in their own half and the rest is history. That goal, which evade four defenders at a great pace, is still one of the best in the Champions League. He was man of the match in both legs against Bayern in the quarter.
His performance at Old Trafford's match against Manchester United in the first leg of the semifinal was so great, that United supporters were standing there to greet him when he was lifted in 88 minutes. According to Sir Alex Ferguson, Kakás performance in that match is one of the best solo goal he has seen. Kaká scored a 'brace' despite losing the match 3-2. His second goal in that match, many still search it on YouTube. He took the ball from Seedorf's pass and tap it over Gabriel Heinze's head by right leg. He headed the ball as he noticed Patrice Evra coming forward from the left. Heinz-Avra confrontation. Kaká pushed the ball in the net with a cold head infront of van der Sar. There was state of silence throughout the stadium. Incredible! Supernal! Milan won 3-0 in the second leg and reached the final.
In 2007, no one was around Kaká in the world football. He won FIFA Ballon d'Or by 1,047 votes, while the nearest rival Cristiano Ronaldo received only 504 votes. He became UEFA's best of the year. He won the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. He became the best footballer of Serie A for the second time. Kaká withdraw himself from the 2007 Copa America citing fatigue and exhaustion. Brazil has twice been the best in Latin America in his international career (2005 & 2007), but he has never been on the team.
The 2007-08 season was spent like a nightmare completely different to its previous season. Milan's economy started to deteriorate, lost the opportunity to play the Champions League in the following season after being the league's fifth. They were dropped off from the last 16 at the UCL and Italian Cup too. Altogether Kaká broke down completely and from that time onwards, rumors of 'Kaká leaving Milan' began to spread. But in an interview on Milan TV, Kaká made it clear, "As long as Milan wants, I'll stay. Leaving the team completely depends on Milan."
Kaká returned £500,000 per week worth of lucrative Manchester City deals that year. However, considering the financial condition of the club, supporters began to shout at the procession outside the Milan headquarters. The procession also went to Kaká's residence from the headquarters. Seeing the urge of supporters, he shook his hand through the window and repeatedly said, "eu vou ficar" ("I'm staying"). Kaká kept his words. The midfield maestro stayed in Milan for the 2008-09 season.
But then the Kaká-Milan love stoy came to an end. Real Madrid's offer of 67 million was impossible for Milan to return in the financial circumstances of that time. Kaká understood the situation of the club. He bid adieu to his favorite club with tears in his eyes. Kaká joined Real Madrid to save his beloved club. Real also bought Cristiano Ronaldo in the same season. But since then, Kaká's career started to collapse. Fighting hard with the injury, he never got back to his old form. Coach José Mourinho recruits Mesut Özil to replace injured Kaká. Özil took Kaká's place in the starting XI with great consistency, just as he took Rui Costa's place in Milan six years ago.
Before the 2010 World Cup, Kaká suffered a serious knee injury. Ignoring the advice of the surgeons, he served the country in the World Cup. Every Brazilians relied on their best players who won the Confederations Cup in 2009. But Kaká did not recover from the injury. Like in 2006, Brazil eliminated from the quarter again. Kaká underwent a surgery after returning empty handed from the World Cup, losing 8 months of his career. He played only 120 matches in 4 years in Real. There's a interesting fact that Real did not lose in any such match where Kaká scored a goal! Injuries, lack of form in the club - as a result, the door of the national team was gradually closing for Kaká. After the 2010 World Cup, he was called up to the national squad only three times until leaving Real in 2013. A year later, the World Cup at home. Kaká understands that if he stays at Real, the slim chance of getting on the field in front of his supporters wearing Brazilian jerseys; that too will be lost.
Kaká returned to his life Milan on a free transfer on the last day of the 2013-14 season transfer window. He was greeted by a warm reception that day at Milan Airport and the club's training complex. The whole Milan was full of festivities. The next day, TuttoSport published that famous picture of Kaká holding the 22 No. jersey high and captioned, "The son of the house is back home." Despite being a regular in Milan's starting XI, Kaká did not find a place in Scolari's World Cup squad like in the Confederations Cup in 2013. He got a call-up in the 2016 Copa America squad due to Douglas Costa's shoulder injury. All set, Kaká eager to return to the national team. But in the pre-tournament match against Panama, injury interrupted again! The Brazil chapter finished with 29 goals in 90 matches. Again a strange fact that the number of times Kaká scored in these 90 matches was never lost by the Seleção.
Although the contract with Milan was for two years, Kaká signed for Orlando City (MLS Club) after a year of mutual agreement. This one year he didn’t take any fees from his favourite Milan. However, MLS starts in January. Kaká had a six months span that time and São Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho knew this beforehand. At his request, Kaká returned to São Paulo; Where where his football life began. He marked his return with a goal. Sao Paulo won the last match at last moment against Vitória with his goal. At the end of the match, the sound of the fans' 'Ricardo eu te amo' (Ricardo, I love you) seemed to be floating all over Brazil. Kaká himself probably never imagined of a sweeter farewell than this. At the end of three seasons spent in Orlando, he returned the offer to renew his contract. São Paulo, Milan also requested him to return.
But the body does not want anymore! Kaká decided to hang up his boots. A dark gloomy shadow surrounded the whole stadium in the match against the Columbus Crew on October 15, 2017. Nobody could accept the farewell of beloved 'Ricardo'. At 78th minute he looked around once, for the last time. The whole stadium was saying goodbye to him with tears in their eyes. There is so much passion for a footballer in a country like America, that's the magic of Kaká! He ended his illustrious career with a victory. In that career there are all kinds of achievements, honors; again nothing!
Kaká was not attracted to Nightlife. He was devoted to God. He belongs to God.
The World Cup, the Champions League, the Ballon d'Or - have won everything possible. But even then, when you hear Kaká's name, a melancholy melody seems to resound away. Ah, if the knee injury did not suffer him like this! if he could give his best for some more years! Kaká is undoubtedly one of the few footballers in the world who has no haters.
On a lazy afternoon or a rainy evening, you may have to find the videos of Kaká's best moments on YouTube out of curiosity or emotion. Kaká will laugh. Kaká will Cry.
And he will raise both of his hands and thank his God. We will also be Kaká's companions then!
Sports Galaxy wishing Happy Birthday to the 'Prince of Football', Ricardo Kaká.
~ Subham Dey
Contact us sportsgalaxy.om@gmail.com
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