Kaká

Brazilian footballer who won the 2007 Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year, known for his elegant playmaking and technical brilliance at AC Milan.

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite — Kaká — was born in Gama, Brazil in 1982 and began at São Paulo (2001–2003) before AC Milan (2003–2009) where he won the Champions League (2007), Serie A (2004) and was the driving force behind one of the finest Milan sides in history. Real Madrid paid €65 million — then a world record — in 2009 but injuries limited him to 120 appearances (2009–2013). He returned briefly to Milan (2013–14) before finishing at Orlando City (2014–2017). He earned 92 Brazil caps scoring 29 goals and winning the 2002 World Cup. His top speed of 33.8 km/h made him the fastest attacking midfielder of his generation. He covered 10.6 km per game. He scored 195 career goals and provided 164 assists in 609 appearances. He won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2007 — the last player other than Messi or Ronaldo to win both in the same year. His Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United in 2007 — where he single-handedly destroyed United's defence — produced one of the greatest individual performances in the competition's history.

Creative attacking midfielder with exceptional dribbling, vision, and long-range shooting ability

Elegant playmaker who bridged the gap between the Ronaldinho generation and modern football, renowned for his technical ability and sportsmanship

• Champions League 2007 (AC Milan)
• Serie A 2004 (AC Milan)
• FIFA World Cup 2002 (Brazil)
• Ballon d'Or 2007
• FIFA World Player of Year 2007
• Confederations Cup 2005, 2009
• La Liga 2011-12
• Copa Libertadores 2005
• FIFA Club World Cup 2007

Club Career

Club	Period	Fee	Apps	Goals	Shirt
São Paulo	2001–2003	—	27	87	#8
AC Milan	2003–2009	€8.5m	165	67	#8
Real Madrid	2009–2013	€65m	148	56	#8
New York City FC	2014–2014	loan	3	0	—
Orlando City	2014–2017	—	75	24	—
Brazil	—	—	92	29	—