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Ricardo Kaka: The Forgotten Genius
A Thread.
A Thread.
Reaching his peak on the brink of the Messi-Ronaldo era, Kaká occupies a unique place in football history. The world shouldn’t forget his phenomenal talent.
For a brief period of time, Kaká was, without doubt, the best footballer in the world.
For a brief period of time, Kaká was, without doubt, the best footballer in the world.
The Brazil playmaker was recognised as such at the 2007 Ballon d’Or ceremony, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — two players who would dominate the awards for the next decade — by a huge margin. Just shows how good Kaka was in his absolute prime.
It was hard to keep up with Kaká’s many achievements that year.
With AC Milan, he won the 2006-07 Champions League, the 2007 Super Cup and the 2007 Club World Cup. That Milan side boasted some great players, but Kaká was their heartbeat, their driving force.
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With AC Milan, he won the 2006-07 Champions League, the 2007 Super Cup and the 2007 Club World Cup. That Milan side boasted some great players, but Kaká was their heartbeat, their driving force.
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As well as scooping virtually every ‘footballer of the year’ contest in existence, the playmaker’s 10 European goals – including one of the most iconic goals against Manchester United – also made him the Champions League’s top scorer.
At the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Pelé explained why Kaká’s achievements dwarfed those of Ronaldo & Messi's.
“Kaka has been playing at this level for Brazil for 4 years now,” Pelé said. “He helps out in midfield & he is also a great example off the pitch. He is the complete player.”
“Kaka has been playing at this level for Brazil for 4 years now,” Pelé said. “He helps out in midfield & he is also a great example off the pitch. He is the complete player.”
Kaká was also something of a dying breed. An all-action No.10, the Brazilian was a central attacking midfielder who consistently scored and provided goals for his team.
Where goalscoring wide forwards have since dominated the Ballon d’Or.
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Where goalscoring wide forwards have since dominated the Ballon d’Or.
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Kaká usually played through the middle, using his pace and skill to move the ball from midfield to attack, usually with the desired consequences.
Zinedine Zidane called him a “rare piece of talent”.
Zinedine Zidane called him a “rare piece of talent”.
In reaching the peak of his powers shortly before the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo, Kaká can be considered something akin to the Sega Dreamcast of footballers: a much-hyped product that was the best in its category for a fleeting moment but which soon...
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appeared inferior and overpriced relative to the competition.
Kaká offered bright colours, but Ronaldo and Messi — obviously the Playstation and Xbox in this analogy — would soon be rendering polygons in unprecedented quantities.
Kaká offered bright colours, but Ronaldo and Messi — obviously the Playstation and Xbox in this analogy — would soon be rendering polygons in unprecedented quantities.
After joining the Spanish giants for £55million in June 2009, a 27-year-old Kaká became the world’s most expensive footballer.
Weeks later, however, Cristiano Ronaldo smashed that record, and the celebrity status of the Portuguese quickly overshadowed that of the Brazilian.
Weeks later, however, Cristiano Ronaldo smashed that record, and the celebrity status of the Portuguese quickly overshadowed that of the Brazilian.
The famously Jesus-loving Brazilian did not play with aggression or negativity; he appeared grateful for every moment, seeming to cherish football as much as fans ended up cherishing him.
Along with his talents, it was a good recipe for popularity.
Along with his talents, it was a good recipe for popularity.
Maybe, Kaká was simply too happy with his lot, too quick to be thankful for everyone and everything, too happy to apply himself on the Madrid training pitch instead of seeking a move that could have revived his career.
“I belong to Jesus,” his undershirt famously proclaimed.
“I belong to Jesus,” his undershirt famously proclaimed.
Ricardo Kaka, a Legend.
