Kaka: Bio and Career History

Famously known as Kaka, Ricardo Izecson graced the pitch for some of the most illustrious clubs in the world and often went under the radar in his respective star-studded teams.

His name Kaka evolved from his brother’s inability to pronounce his actual name “Ricardo” and this stuck with him throughout his years of playing the beautiful game. His brother in question, Digao, also became a professional footballer, though he failed to reach the heights that his older brother managed.

Luckily for the pair, his upbringing benefited from his financially secure parents, meaning him and his younger brother were physically able to focus on an education and playing football, though the latter was something they both enjoyed more. And it certainly paid off.

Born in 22 April 1982, the Brazilian playmaker enjoyed a 17-year career in which he played at the elite-level for the majority of those years, with a short stint in the MLS to end his glittering time as a footballer.

How his illustrious career began and early life

Kaka’s career almost didn’t begin. A career-threatening accident occurred when he was 18 and led many around him to believe that he would never play football again. Kaka attributes his full recovery to be a miracle of Jesus Christ and has remained grounded since his horrific pool incident.

It certainly was a miracle and allowed this wonderfully gifted player to amount a career of dreams.

One of the most underappreciated players to play the game, Kaka began his professional career at the age of 18, when he joined the well-known Brazilian club Sao Paulo FC. His association with the club extended from ten years prior as he joined their set up at the ripe age of eight.

At just 15 years old was when he signed his first contract with his academy club, proving that the Brazilian side believed he was a valuable asset to their club. It was in early 2001 when he made his senior debut but their trust in the young Brazilian paid dividends as he scored 12 times across 27 games and led the Brazilian outfit to its first and only Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo championship, a final in which he scored two goals in the same number of minutes as a substitute to steer his side to unprecedented glory.

Kaka failed to wilt as he carried his goal scoring exploits into the following season, amounting ten goals in just 22 games. For a midfielder, this is a very commendable return, especially as he was mainly seen as their creator-in-chief.

The European heavyweight didn’t wait long to begin circling around as AC Milan placed a bid, described as “peanuts” by their late club owner Silvio Belusconi.

Kaka’s choice was a frightening one at the time, but the ‘old head on young shoulders’ figure had no problems fitting in with all of the stars AC Milan homed at the time. His wish to become the best player on his time only better his chances of success.

South American players were often crippled by big moves to Europe, suggesting the level of football was too big of a jump. Not Kaka. His flawless ability allowed the then-21-year-old to flourish by scoring ten goals in his 30 Serie A as his contribution from attacking midfield helped his new club to win their only Scudetto of that decade.

He became the highest-paid player in football when he signed his contract extension with the Italian stalwarts in 2008 and his rough €8million annual income was a testament to what he was able to deliver, week in week out.

2007: Kaka’s year

Only the sport’s greatest players can claim that they were the best in the world at one point.

Kaka can.

He won the Ballon d’Or in 2007, leaving the duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the dust as he picked up football’s most prestigious award. The Brazilian became the eighth AC Milan player to be crowned and was the last player to ply their trade in Italy to win it.

Well-deserved plaudits rushed Kaka’s way as he also won AC Milan’s Player of the Year, UEFA Best Player in Europe to complete the individual trio. It was his best season that the Kaka ever enjoyed and was highlighted by his Ballon d’Or win as he received almost double the votes that a certain Cristiano Ronaldo did – and that speaks volumes of the magnitude of his talent when he was at the peak of his powers.

“To be honest, I was expecting it a little bit,” Kaka ushered in his calm manner.

“I won the Champions League and was the competition’s top scorer. That’s what made the difference with the others.”

AC Milan also became the kings of Europe this year, too, by dismissing Liverpool 2-1 in the final as the managed to plot and follow up with revenge after their shortfall at the same stage two years prior. Kaka, alongside his teammates, felt heartbreak in 2005 but were sure to put it right when they got the chance, and the Brazilian superstar in particular bounced off the double goal scorer Filippo Inzaghi that game like they had done it for decades.

His brilliant off-field demeanour

Whilst his brilliance on the pitch was often catching the attention of those headline-writers, it was his acts that went on behind-the-scenes that really encapsulated Kaka’s beliefs and what type of a person he was. People may not have known Kaka was a devout evangelical Christian during his playing career, but it is said that he became engrossed in religion at the early age of 12 and even removed a jersey stating “I Belong to Jesus” during the final whistle of the 2002 World Cup.

In November 2004, Kaka began his service as an Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations’ World Food Programme as he became the youngest person, at that current time, to do so.

Insanely talented with a ball at his feet, but an even better person off it, Kaka was chosen by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in the world in 2008 and was the only footballer to find himself placed on the list.

Undoubted success with Brazil

It’s not only at club level that Kaka proved he was one of the finest footballers on the planet, but his 92 appearances for his home nation also showed how influential he could be on the field. During that sequence of nearly a century of caps, he scored 27 goals from midfield, but it was often his intangible attributes that made him widely known as a fantastic footballer.

Back in 2003, Kaka donned the armband for the CONCACAF Gold Cup whilst competing in their under-23 team as they managed second place, just behind Mexico. His leadership skills married up with his knack for playing unbelievable football saw him become a vital cog in the Brazilian national side as he appeared in all five of the senior side’s 2005 Confederations Cup campaign, where he even bagged a goal in their 4-1 final win.

He won the 2002 World Cup and won two Confederations Cups with his national team. Brazil were an imperious force to be reckoned with on the international front and, despite only featuring for 25 minutes, Kaka was a part of one of football’s most dangerous teams, with his undeniable flair and attitude to winning central to his nation’s proceeding dominance between the four white lines.

It was just early in Brazil’s World-Cup winning campaign that Kaka had featured for his nation for the very first time but his aforementioned desire to be at his physical and mental peak when stepping foot onto the grass made him an indispensable asset at times.

The beginning of the end

Just like many footballing stars of yesteryear, Kaka’s career ended in the MLS as he signed for Orland City. The flair-ridden midfielder stated that he always had a dream of playing in the United States and this became a reality in 2014. In doing so, he became their first Designated Player.

When the former Real Madrid and AC Milan ace tipped up in the United States, he immediately became the highest-paid player in the league by a stretch, showing that his previous stardom came at a hefty price.

Though, a loan back to his hometown club Sao Paulo beckoned and he swiftly returned to Brazil to participate in training the next day. This was just one of many professional acts Kaka showcased during his career. He shone light on the vibrant Brazilian city as he scored on his return against Goias, though they ultimately lost 2-1 on the occasion.

A merry-go-round between clubs continue as he embarked on his second stint back in the United States, at Orlando City once again.

The curtains were drawn on a trophy-ladened career as he rejected offers from his former clubs Sao Paulo and AC Milan. Kaka also had the opportunity to turn his hand to working as a director at the Serie A outfit, but the role didn’t appeal to the then 35-year-old.

Although he may have lacked longevity to go down as one of the greatest players of all time, there’s no doubts that – at points during his career – he was easily at the top of that bracket.

Kaka Career Stats