Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{About|the Brazilian footballer born in 1982|the Brazilian footballer born in 1981|Kaká (footballer, born 1981)|other uses|Kaka (disambiguation){{!}}Kaka}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{Portuguese name|Santos|Leite}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kaká
| image = Kaká Postgame In Houston, March 2015 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Kaká in 2015
| fullname = Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite
| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/players/1/kak%C3%A1|title=Kaká: Player Profile|date=2 February 2015|publisher=Orlando City SC}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|4|22}}<ref name="Biografia_de_Kaká">{{cite web |url=http://www.quadrodemedalhas.com/futebol/copa-do-mundo/copa-mundo-2010-jogador-brasil-kaka.htm |title=Biografia de Kaká|date=December 2010 |publisher=Quadro de Medalhas |accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Gama, Federal District]], Brazil
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|Attacking midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 1994–2000 | youthclubs1 = [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]]
| years1 = 2001–2003 | clubs1 = [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] | caps1 = 59 | goals1 = 23
| years2 = 2003–2009 | clubs2 = [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] | caps2 = 193 | goals2 = 70
| years3 = 2009–2013 | clubs3 = [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] | caps3 = 85 | goals3 = 23
| years4 = 2013–2014 | clubs4 = [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] | caps4 = 30 | goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2014–2017 | clubs5 = [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]] | caps5 = 75 | goals5 = 24
| years6 = 2014 | clubs6 = → [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] (loan) | caps6 = 19 | goals6 = 2
| totalcaps = 461 | totalgoals = 149
| nationalyears1 = 2001 | nationalteam1 = [[Brazil national under-20 football team|Brazil U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2002–2016 | nationalteam2 = [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]
| nationalcaps2 = 92 | nationalgoals2 = 29
| club-update =
| nationalteam-update =
| medaltemplates =
{{medalCountry|[[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]}}
{{medalGold|[[2002 FIFA World Cup]]|[[2002 FIFA World Cup|Korea & Japan]]}}
{{medalGold|[[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]]|[[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|Germany]]|}}
{{medalGold|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|South Africa]]|}}
}}
'''Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite''' ({{IPA-pt|ʁiˈkaɾdu iˈzɛksõw duˈsɐ̃tus ˈlejt͡ʃi}}; born 22 April 1982), commonly known as '''Kaká''' ({{IPA-pt|kaˈka|lang|Kaká pronunciation.ogg}}) or '''Ricardo Kaká''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Kaka |title=Ricardo Kakà – Atleet |publisher=Facebook |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/kaka |title=Instagram |publisher=Instagram |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/ricardokakaoficial |title=Ricardo Kaká |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1v1X7M_1Us |title=Rooney and Kaka both confident ahead of second leg |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref> is a Brazilian-Italian retired professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as an [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]].
Kaká made his professional club debut at age 18 at [[São Paulo FC]] in Brazil in 2001. After being named to the [[Bola de Ouro]] as the best player in the [[2002 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2002 Campeonato Brasileiro]], in 2003 he joined Italian club [[A.C. Milan]] for a fee of €8.5 million. At Milan, the club where he spent his prime years, Kaká won a [[Serie A]] title and was named the [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]] twice. In 2005, Milan finished runners up in the [[2005 UEFA Champions League Final]] to [[Liverpool F.C.]], with Kaká, the top assist provider of the tournament, named the [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Midfielder|UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year]]. Two years later he led Milan to win the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final]] and was the tournament's top goal scorer. Kaká's pace, creative passing, goal scoring and [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbles]] from midfield saw him win the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]], the [[Ballon d'Or]], the [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]] and the [[IFFHS World's Best Playmaker]] awards.
After his success with Milan, Kaká joined [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] for a transfer fee of €67 million.<ref name=Milan2009bilancio/> At the time, this was the second [[List of most expensive association football transfers|highest transfer]] fee (in [[euros]]) ever, behind only the €77.5 million (150 billion lire) fee for [[Zinedine Zidane]]. However, in the same transfer window Real Madrid broke the world record by signing [[Cristiano Ronaldo]]. After four injury ravaged seasons in Spain, which saw his physical ability to dribble from midfield rapidly decline, he returned to Milan for a season in 2013, scoring his 100th goal for the club. At the end of the 2013–14 season, he joined [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] expansion club [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]], but initially returned to his former Brazilian club São Paulo FC on loan. In 2015, he scored on his MLS debut for Orlando City; he was later included in the roster for the [[2015 MLS All-Star Game]], where he was named Most Valuable Player.
Kaká made his debut for the Brazil national team in 2002, and was selected for their victorious [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] squad that year, as well as the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]] tournaments, leading the tournament in assists in the latter. He was also a member of Brazil's [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005]] and [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]] [[FIFA Confederations Cup]]-winning squads, winning the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup#Awards|Golden Ball Award]] in the 2009 edition, as the tournament's best player. With success at club and international level, Kaká is one of eight players to have won the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA Champions League]] and the [[Ballon d'Or]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka: Former Brazil, AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder announces retirement|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42386038|agency=BBC|date=17 December 2017}}</ref>
Owing to his performances at A.C. Milan where he was an elite [[playmaker]], Kaká is widely considered one of the best players of his generation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/andriy-shevchenkos-perfect-xi-creative-maestro-kaka-and-exceptionally-dangerous-john-terry |title=Andriy Shevchenko's Perfect XI: 'Creative maestro' Kaka and 'exceptionally dangerous' John Terry |publisher= Fourfourtwo.com |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/photos/gallery/_/id/9358083/image/1/kaka-best-brazillian-players-all |title=Best Brazilian Players of All Time - Kaká |publisher=ESPN.com |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2916940/Lionel-Messi-Xavi-Kaka-Paul-Scholes-legends-Andrea-Pirlo-s-Champions-League-dream-team.html |title=Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kaka and Paul Scholes among legends in Andrea Pirlo's Champions League dream team |publisher=DailyMail.co.uk |date=20 January 2015 |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/439615/pele-kaka-is-best-and-better-than-ronaldo |title=Pele: Kaka is best and better than Ronaldo |publisher=ESPNFC.com |date=18 June 2007 |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref> In addition to his individual awards he was named in both the [[FIFPro World XI]] and the [[UEFA Team of the Year]] three times. In 2010, he was named in the A.C. Milan Hall of Fame.<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame">{{cite web|url = https://www.acmilan.com/en/kaka|title = A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Kakà)|website=acmilan.com|publisher = A.C. Milan|accessdate = 3 April 2015}}</ref> One of the world's most famous athletes, Kaká was the first sportsperson to amass 10 million followers on [[Twitter]].<ref name= "10 Million">{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7853871/10-million-eye-tweets-real-madrid-kaka|title=Kaka tops 10M Twitter followers|date=26 April 2012|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/worldfame100/espn-world-fame-100-top-ranking-athletes |title=World Fame 100 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref> Off the field Kaká is known for his humanitarian work. In 2004 he became the youngest ambassador of the UN [[World Food Programme]].<ref name="WFP-30Nov2004">{{cite press release |title=Soccer star Kaká puts the floodlights on global hunger |url=http://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/soccer-star-kak%C3%A1-puts-floodlights-global-hunger |publisher=[[World Food Programme]] |date=30 November 2004 |accessdate=15 June 2010}}</ref> For his contributions on and off the pitch, Kaká was named in the [[TIME 100|''Time'' 100]] list of the world's most influential people in 2008 and 2009.<ref name="Profile">[http://www.goal.com/en/people/brazil/49/kaká/profile "Kaka profile"]. Goal.com. Retrieved 28 June 2014</ref>
==Early life==
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite was born in [[Gama, Federal District|Gama]], Brazil, to Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite (a [[civil engineer]]) and Simone dos Santos (an elementary school [[teacher]]).<ref>{{pt icon}} Istoé Gente, [http://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/168/reportagens/capa_kaka_01.htm Kaká vira fera], 21 October 2002.</ref> He had a financially secure upbringing that allowed him to focus on both school and football at the same time.<ref name="SOCCER-FANS-INFO">{{cite web |url=http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/kaka-biography.html |title=Soccer-Fans-Info |publisher=Soccer-Fans-Info |date=22 April 1982 |accessdate=12 December 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016180954/http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/kaka-biography.html |archivedate=16 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> His younger brother Rodrigo (best known as [[Digão (footballer, born 1985)|Digão]]) and cousin [[Eduardo Delani]] are also professional footballers. Digão called him "Caca" due to his inability to pronounce "Ricardo" when they were young; it eventually evolved into ''Kaká.''<ref name="Mitten" /> The word has no specific [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] translation.<ref name="nickname">{{cite news |title= Kaka: 10 Facts You Should Know|first=Ivan |last=Soldo |newspaper=[[Bleacher Report]] |date=6 August 2010 |url= http://bleacherreport.com/articles/431076-10-facts-you-should-know-about-kaka/page/4 |accessdate=30 July 2015 }}</ref>
When he was seven, Kaká's family moved to [[São Paulo]].<ref name="FIFA">[https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid=648483.html FIFA Classic Football] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607194922/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid%3D648483.html |date= 7 June 2008 }}</ref> His school had arranged him in a local youth club called ''"Alphaville,"'' who qualified to the final in a local tournament.<ref name="kakamania">{{cite web|url=http://kakamania.br.tripod.com/Kaka/id7.html |title=Kaka Biography (Portuguese) |publisher=Kakamania.br.tripod.com |accessdate=12 December 2010}}</ref> There he was discovered by hometown club [[São Paulo FC]], who offered him a place in the youth academy.<ref name=fantastico>{{cite web |url=http://www.fantasticokaka.it/biografia.html |title=Biography – fantasticoakaka.it (Italian) |publisher=Fantasticokaka.it |accessdate=12 December 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722033040/http://www.fantasticokaka.it/biografia.html |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> At the age of 18, Kaká suffered a career-threatening and possibly paralysis-inducing spinal fracture as a result of a swimming pool accident,<ref name="v-brazil.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.v-brazil.com/culture/sports/football/player/kaka.html |title=v-brazil.com |publisher=v-brazil.com |accessdate=12 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="IHT-2004">{{cite news |title=Soccer: Kaka able to see beyond dollar signs |first=Rob |last=Hughes |newspaper=[[International Herald Tribune]] |date=1 December 2004 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/01/sports/01iht-soccer_ed3_.html |accessdate=15 June 2010 }}</ref> but made a full recovery. He attributes his recovery to God and has since [[tithe]]d his income to his church.<ref name="IHT-2004" />
==Club career==
===São Paulo===
Kaká began his career with São Paulo at the age of eight. He signed a contract at 15 and led the São Paulo youth squad to ''Copa de Juvenil'' glory. He made his senior side debut on 1 February 2001 and scored 12 goals in 27 appearances, in addition to leading São Paulo to its first and only [[Torneio Rio-São Paulo]] championship, in which he scored two goals in two minutes as a substitute against [[Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas|Botafogo]] in the final, which São Paulo won 2–1.<ref>[http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/tablesr/rjsp2001.htm “Torneio Rio-São Paulo 2001“]. Rsssf. Retrieved 22 March 2018</ref>
He scored ten goals in 22 matches the following season, and by this time his performance was soon attracting attention from European clubs.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11891/2256638/sao-paulo-to-sell-kaka|title = Sao Paulo to sell Kaka|accessdate = 19 February 2015|website = Sky Sports|publisher = |last = Vicente|first = Emerson}}</ref> Kaká made a total of 58 appearances for São Paulo, scoring 23 times.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/soccerprofiles/p/kaka.htm| title=Kaká – Career History and Profile| date=19 January 2009| publisher=[[About.com]]| deadurl=yes| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224003408/http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/soccerprofiles/p/kaka.htm| archivedate=24 February 2009| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
===Milan===
[[File:Kaka in Moscow 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Kaká playing in Moscow with A.C. Milan]]
The steady European interest in Kaká culminated in his signing with the [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|European champions]], Italian club [[A.C. Milan]], in 2003 for a fee of reported €8.5 million, described in retrospect as "peanuts" by club owner [[Silvio Berlusconi]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/kaka-heaven-sent-with-the-tshirt-to-prove-it/2009/01/15/1231608888625.html|title=Heaven sent, with the T-shirt to prove it| date=16 January 2009 | publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|last = Brown|first = Oliver|access-date = 14 March 2015}}</ref> Within a month, he cracked the starting lineup, replacing [[Rui Costa]] in the attacking midfield playmaking position, behind strikers [[Jon Dahl Tomasson]], [[Filippo Inzaghi]] and [[Andriy Shevchenko]]. His [[Serie A]] debut was in a 2–0 win over [[A.C. Ancona|Ancona]]. He scored ten goals in 30 appearances that season, also providing several important assists, such as the cross which led to Shevchenko's title-deciding headed goal, as Milan won the ''[[Scudetto]]'' and the [[UEFA Super Cup]], whilst finishing as runner up in the [[2003 Intercontinental Cup|Intercontinental Cup]] and the [[2003 Supercoppa Italiana]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Roma vs. Milan: 0–1|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2004/d/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata32/milanroma/milanroma.html|accessdate=3 September 2013}}</ref> Milan also reached the semi-finals of the [[2003–04 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]], losing out to eventual winners [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]], and were knocked out of the quarter-finals of the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] by [[Deportivo de La Coruña]]. Due to his performances in his debut season, in 2004, Kaká was named [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]], and was nominated for both the [[2004 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] (finishing in 15th place) and the [[2004 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] Awards (finishing in ninth place).
Kaká was a part of the five-man midfield in the [[2004–05 A.C. Milan season|2004–05 season]], usually playing in a withdrawn role behind striker Andriy Shevchenko. He was supported by [[Gennaro Gattuso]] and [[Clarence Seedorf]] defensively, as well as [[Massimo Ambrosini]], allowing Kaká as the [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] and Rui Costa or [[Andrea Pirlo]] as the deep-lying [[playmaker]] to be in charge of creating Milan's goalscoring chances, forming a formidable midfield unit in both Italy and Europe. Milan began the season by winning the [[Supercoppa Italiana]] against Lazio. He scored seven goals in 36 domestic appearances as Milan finished [[2004–05 Serie A|runner-up]] in the ''Scudetto'' race. Milan also reached the quarter-finals of the [[2004–05 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]] that season. Kaká played a pivotal role in Milan's [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|Champions League campaign]] that season, helping them to reach the [[Champions League Final 2005|final]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], scoring two goals and providing five assists. Dubbed the "Miracle of Istanbul," Milan led 3–0 at half time, before Liverpool staged a comeback, scoring three goals in six minutes, and eventually won the match 3–2 on penalties.<ref name="Istanbul">[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=games/decade/2005liverpoolmilan "Games of the decade: 2005 UEFA Champions League Final: The Miracle of Istanbul"]. ESPN. Retrieved 15 April 2012</ref> A match widely regarded as one of the greatest finals in the competition's history, Kaká was imperious in the first half; he first won the early free-kick which led to [[Paolo Maldini]]'s opening goal, later beginning the play that led to [[Hernán Crespo]]'s first goal and Milan's second of the night, before executing a long [[Curl (football)|curling]] pass that split open the Liverpool defence and rolled perfectly into the path of Crespo to score Milan's third.<ref name="Istanbul"/><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/60913/report|title = Reds take European crown|date = 25 May 2005|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = Sky Sports|publisher = |last = Bailey|first = Graeme}}</ref><ref>McCarra, Kevin (26 May 2005) [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/may/26/match.acmilan "Grit, spirit and the ultimate glory"]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 8 July 2011</ref> Kaká was once again nominated for the [[2005 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and [[2005 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] Awards, finishing ninth and eighth respectively, and he was named the [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Midfielder|2005 UEFA Club Football Best Midfielder]].
[[File:Kaka and Lula.JPG|thumb|upright|Kaká presenting a Milan jersey to then-Brazilian President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] in 2007]]
The [[2005–06 Serie A|2005–06 season]] saw Kaká score his first hat-tricks in domestic competitions. On 9 April 2006, he scored his first ''Rossoneri'' hat-trick against [[A.C. Chievo Verona|Chievo]], with all three goals scored in the second half.<ref>{{cite web|title=ON THIS DAY: KAKA' FIRST HAT-TRICK|url=http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/76520|publisher=A.C. Milan|accessdate=13 May 2015|date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Milan were knocked out in the semi-finals of the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06 Champions League]] to eventual champions [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], and were once again eliminated in the quarter-finals of the [[2005–06 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]]. Milan also finished once again as runners-up in Serie A, with Kaká scoring 17 goals in the league. After the [[2006 Calciopoli|2006 Calciopoli scandal]], however, Milan were deducted 30 points, which placed them in third in the table. Kaká was nominated for the [[2006 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and the [[2006 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] Awards for the third consecutive year, finishing 11th and seventh respectively. He was also selected to be part of both the [[UEFA Team of the Year]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2006.html|title=Team of the Year 2006|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> and the [[FIFPro]] [[FIFA FIFPro World XI|World XI]] for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006 |title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2005/2006 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701201417/http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006 |archivedate=2014-07-01 |df= }}</ref>
Andriy Shevchenko's departure to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] for the [[2006–07 A.C. Milan season|2006–07 season]] allowed Kaká to become the focal point of Milan's offense as he alternated between the midfield and forward positions, operating at times as a striker or as a second striker behind Filippo Inzaghi, as well as in his more typical attacking midfield position. On 2 November 2006, he scored his first [[List of UEFA Champions League hat-tricks|Champions League hat-trick]] in a 4–1 group stage win over the Belgian side [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Kaká orchestrates Milan triumph|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/matches/round=2357/match=1116377/postmatch/report/index.html|accessdate = 13 May 2015|date = 2 November 2006|first = Richard|website = UEFA.COM|last = Aikman}}</ref> He finished as the top scorer in the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07 Champions League]] campaign with ten goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2008/12/sport/calcio/serie-a/milan/medico-real-kaka/medico-real-kaka.html?ref=search&refresh_ce|title=Kakà è del Real Madrid Ha firmato per sei anni|trans-title=Kakà belongs to Real Madrid He has signed a six-year contract|publisher=La Repubblica|language=Italian|date=7 June 2009|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> One of the goals helped the ''Rossoneri'' eliminate [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in the round of 16, 1–0 on aggregate,<ref>{{cite web|last=Aikman|first=Richard|title=Celtic foiled by Kaká magic|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/matches/round=2358/match=85505/postmatch/report/index.html|publisher=UEFA.com|date=8 March 2007|accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref> and he scored three goals against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6582631.stm |title=BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Man Utd 3–2 AC Milan |publisher=BBC News |date=24 April 2007 |accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6603095.stm |title=BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | AC Milan 3–0 Man Utd (Agg: 5–3) |publisher=BBC News |date=2 May 2007 |accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref> Milan also reached the semi-finals of the [[2006–07 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]] that season, losing out to winners [[A.S. Roma|Roma]], and finished fourth in [[2006–07 Serie A|Serie A]].
[[File:AC Milan team celebrate.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká celebrating the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|2007 UEFA Champions League]] triumph with his Milan teammates. A number of individual accolades followed for Kaká]]
Kaká won the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League title]] when Milan defeated Liverpool 2–1 on 23 May 2007, avenging the previous loss on penalties two years before. Though he went scoreless, he won a free kick that led to the first of Filippo Inzaghi's two goals, and provided the assist for the second.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/overview/index.html|title=2006/07: Milan avenge Liverpool defeat|publisher=UEFA.com|date=23 May 2007|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> For his stellar play throughout the competition, he was voted the [[Vodafone]] Fans' Player of the Season in a poll of over 100,000 ''UEFA.com'' visitors. On 30 August, Kaká was named by UEFA as both the top forward of the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07 Champions League]] season and [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]], as well as being named as part of the [[UEFA Team of the Year]] for the second time.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/08/30/uk-soccer-champions-awards-idUKL3086976420070830|title = Kaka named UEFA's European club player of the year|date = 30 August 2007|accessdate = 19 March 2015|website = Reuters (UK)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2007.html|title=Team of the Year 2007|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> He once again finished as the second-best assist-provider of the Champions League, providing five, and was voted the 2007 [[IFFHS]] [[IFFHS World's Best Playmaker|World's Best Playmaker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/?a433ccd423dce837ccad5e99a54505fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb8a3a11|title=2007 IFFHS World's Best Playmaker|publisher=IFFHS|accessdate=31 August 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Kaka of AC Milan, April 19, 2009.jpg|175px|thumb|right|left|Kaká in action with Milan against [[Torino F.C.|Torino]] on 19 April 2009]]
Milan began its [[2007–08 A.C. Milan season|2007–08 season]] by winning the [[2007 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] on 31 August, defeating [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] 3–1, with Kaká scoring the third goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/history/season=2007/|title=2007: Milan overcome sombre Sevilla|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> Kaká had made a dribbling run into Sevilla's area, winning a penalty, which he then proceeded to take. Although it was saved by goalkeeper [[Andrés Palop]], Kaká scored on the rebound with a header. Kaká had previously hit the post in the first half.<ref>{{cite web|title=Supercoppa Europea 2007: Milan-Siviglia: 3–1|url=http://www.aimc.eu/clubs/pagineclubs.asp?schema=club&clubs=718&pagina=1085&|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130904054905/http://www.aimc.eu/clubs/pagineclubs.asp?schema=club&clubs=718&pagina=1085&|dead-url=yes|archive-date=4 September 2013|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref> He played his 200th career match with Milan in a 1–1 home draw with [[Calcio Catania|Catania]] on 30 September, scoring from a penalty,<ref>{{cite web|title=Serie A: le pagelle di Milan-Catania|trans-title=Serie A: player ratings for Milan-Catania|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/468345/serie-a-le-pagelle-di-milan-catania|publisher=ESPN FC|accessdate=13 May 2015|language=Italian|date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and on 5 October, he was named the 2006–07 [[FIFPro]] World Player of the Year, and was elected as part of the [[FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro World XI|FIFPro World XI]] for the second time in his career.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/story/469956|title = Kaka named FIFPro world player of the year|date = 5 October 2007|accessdate = 19 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007 |title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2006/2007 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302065115/http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007 |archivedate=2014-03-02 |df= }}</ref> On 2 December 2007, Kaká became the eighth Milan player to win the Ballon d'Or, as he finished with a decisive 444 votes, well ahead of runner-up [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://soccerlens.com/ballon-dor-2007-winner-kaka/4403/|title = Ballon D’Or 2007 Winner: Kaka|date = 2 December 2007|accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = Soccer Lens|publisher = |last = Bilal|first = Ahmed}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec2g.html |title=Ballon d'Or: Kaka crowned |accessdate=2 December 2007 |publisher=Football Italia |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204025229/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec2g.html |archivedate= 4 December 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> He signed a contract extension through 2013 with Milan on 29 February 2008.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3216237,00.html|last=Burton |first=Chris |title=Kaka will not leave Milan |publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=29 February 2008 |accessdate=1 March 2008 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref>
On 16 December, Kaká won the [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup Final|FIFA Club World Cup]] against [[Boca Juniors]], scoring Milan's third goal of the match in a 4–2 victory which allowed them to be crowned World Champions. Kaká had previously assisted Filippo Inzaghi's opening goal of the match and also assisted Inzaghi's final goal of the match after an impressive exchange with Clarence Seedorf; he was awarded the [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the competition.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Mondiale per Club: Milan vs. Boca Juniors: 4–2|url=http://www.calcioalpallone.com/mondiale-club/mondiale-per-club-2007-il-milan-vince-la-finale-con-il-boca-juniors-ed-e-campione-del-mondo/|accessdate=4 September 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522014306/http://www.calcioalpallone.com/mondiale-club/mondiale-per-club-2007-il-milan-vince-la-finale-con-il-boca-juniors-ed-e-campione-del-mondo/|archivedate=22 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 17 December, Kaká was voted the [[2007 FIFA World Player of the Year]] with 1,047 votes, ahead of [[Lionel Messi]] with 504 and Cristiano Ronaldo with 426.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/12/17/uk-soccer-fifa-world-player-idUKL1765574220071217|title = Kaka named World Player of Year|date = 17 December 2007|accessdate = 19 March 2015|website = Reuters (UK)|publisher = |last = Ledsom|first = Mark}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/18/newsstory.europeanfootball|title = Kaka pips Messi and Ronaldo to clinch world player prize|date = 18 December 2007|accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = Christenson|first = Marcus}}</ref>
{{quote box|width=29%|align=left|quote="He's the complete player."|source = —[[Pelé]] on Kaká after he was named the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/12/17/uk-soccer-fifa-world-player-idUKL1765574220071217 "Kaka named World Player of the Year"]. Reuters. Retrieved 7 June 2014</ref>}}
In January 2008, Kaká was also named the 2007 [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]], winning the award for the second time in his career. Due to his contributions on and off the pitch, ''[[Time magazine|Time]]'' magazine named Kaká in the [[Time 100]], a list of the world's 100 most influential people, on 2 May.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |url = http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1733748_1733756_1735884,00.html|title = Kaká – The 2008 Time 100|work = TIME|date = 12 May 2008|accessdate = 21 May 2015|first = Kasey|last = Keller}}</ref> On 14 October, he cast his footprints into the [[Estádio do Maracanã]]'s sidewalk of fame, in a section dedicated to the memory of the country's top players.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|url=http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=73994|title=Kaká – Maracanã Hall of Fame|work=A.C. Milan|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028055355/http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=73994|archivedate=28 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He won the Time 100 honour again in 2009.<ref name=":7">{{cite news|url = http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1883644_1886141,00.html|title = Kaká – The 2009 Time 100|date = 24 July 2009|work = TIME|access-date = 21 May 2015}}</ref> Kaká finished the [[2007–08 Serie A|2007–08 season]] with 15 goals in Serie A and was nominated as a finalist for the [[2008 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]], finishing in fourth place, and was nominated for the [[2008 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]], finishing in eighth place. He was named in the six-man shortlist for the 2008 [[Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year|Laureus World Sportsman of the Year]], and was selected in the [[FIFPro World XI]] for the third time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/fifpro_world/award_history/2008|title=FIFPro World XI 2008}}</ref>
{{Quote box||width=29%|align = right|quote = "I remember how badly we took it as a team when Kaká left Milan. For two or three years he was the best player in the world. There was a point when teams just had no idea how to stop him."|source =— Milan teammate and Italian playmaker [[Andrea Pirlo]] on Kaká leaving the club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kaka and Xavi among legends in Andrea Pirlo's Champions League dream team|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2916940/Lionel-Messi-Xavi-Kaka-Paul-Scholes-legends-Andrea-Pirlo-s-Champions-League-dream-team.html|issue=20 January 2015|publisher=Daily Mail|last = Shergold |first = Adam |accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>}}
[[BBC]] reported on 13 January 2009 that [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] made a bid for Kaká for over £100 million. Milan Director Umberto Gandini replied that Milan would only discuss the matter if Kaká and Manchester City agreed to personal terms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aHW0EfCtD08I|title=AC Milan's Gandini Says Kaka Will Talk With Manchester City |date=16 January 2009|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]|first=Tariq|last=Panja|author2=Alessandro Poggi}}</ref> Kaká initially responded by telling reporters he wanted to "grow old" at Milan and dreamed of captaining the club one day, but later said, "If Milan want to sell me, I'll sit down and talk. I can say that as long as the club don't want to sell me, I'll definitely stay."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article5527883.ece|title= Kaka and Manchester City: three days that shook the football world|date=16 January 2009|work=The Times |location=UK |first=Gabriele|last=Marcotti|authorlink = Gabriele Marcotti }}</ref> On 19 January, [[Silvio Berlusconi]] announced that Manchester City had officially ended their bid after a discussion between the clubs, and that Kaká would remain with Milan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/01/19/england.manchester/ |title=Kaka deal dead but Bellamy signs for £12M |publisher=CNN |date=19 January 2009 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> Milan supporters had protested outside the club headquarters earlier that evening, and later chanted outside Kaká's home, where he saluted them by flashing his jersey outside a window.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jV0MVJBywDb6-1DDf1iePoDFRQVA |title=Kaka salutes fans pleading with him to stay |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=19 January 2009 |accessdate=20 January 2009 }}</ref> Kaká finished his final season with Milan by scoring 16 goals, helping Milan finish third in [[2008–09 Serie A|Serie A]], and once again being elected as a finalist for the [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year Award]], finishing fourth in voting for the second-straight year. He was also nominated for the [[2009 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] award, finishing in sixth place, and was named in the [[UEFA Team of the Year]] for the third time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/community/news/newsid=1584345.html|title=UEFA Team of the Year 2009|publisher=UEFA.com|date=18 January 2011|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref>
===Real Madrid===
[[File:Presentación de Kaká en el Real Madrid.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká during his presentation with Real Madrid in June 2009]]
On 3 June 2009, It was reported that newly elected [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] president [[Florentino Pérez]] had offered to buy Kaká from Milan for a reported €67 million,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun03a.html |title=KAKÁ FOR SALE |date=3 June 2009 |work=Football Italia|publisher=Channel 4 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611145541/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun03a.html |archivedate=11 June 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it//2009/giugno/03/KAKA_MILAN_REAL_TUTTO_PRONTO_ga_10_090603006.shtml|title=KAKA' MILAN REAL TUTTO PRONTO|date=3 June 2009|access-date=14 August 2017|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian}}</ref> two days after the player had left for international duty with Brazil.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun01a.html |title=Kaka will leave |date=1 June 2009 |work=Football Italia|publisher=Channel 4 |deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611150620/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun01a.html|archivedate=11 June 2009}}</ref> Milan vice-chairman and CEO [[Adriano Galliani]] confirmed that he and Kaká's father, Bosco Leite, had traveled to Mexico to meet with ''La Volpe'': "We had lunch and spoke about Kaká. I don't deny it. Negotiations exist, but a deal has yet to be done."<ref name="Galliani: We have to sell Kaká">{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun04a.html |title=Galliani: We have to sell Kaká |date=3 June 2009 |work=Football Italia |publisher=Channel 4|deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918222847/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun04a.html |archivedate=18 September 2009 }}</ref> On 4 June, Galliani told ''[[Gazzetta dello Sport]]'' that financial reasons were his motive for the talks with ''La Volpe'': "We cannot allow [Milan] to lose €70 million ... The reasons behind Kaká's departure would be economic."<ref name="Galliani: We have to sell Kaká"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it//2009/giugno/04/PERCHE_DOBBIAMO_VENDERE_KAKA__ga_10_090604053.shtml|title=PERCHE' DOBBIAMO VENDERE KAKA'|date=4 June 2009|access-date=14 August 2017|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian}}</ref> On 8 June, Milan and Real Madrid confirmed Kaká’s move to the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]] on a six-year deal<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka completes Real Madrid switch|url=http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|publisher=ESPN|date=9 June 2009|accessdate=25 January 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721090409/http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|archivedate=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8082147.stm|title=Kaka completes Real Madrid switch|date=9 June 2009|publisher=BBC}}</ref> for €67 million fee.<ref name=Milan2009bilancio>{{cite web|url=http://media3.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-09.pdf|title=2009 Bilancio|page=76|date=31 August 2010|access-date=13 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122113101/http://media3.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-09.pdf|archivedate=22 November 2010|publisher=A.C. Milan|language=Italian}}</ref>
Kaká was unveiled as a Real Madrid player on 30 June 2009, and he made his unofficial debut on 7 August 2009 in a 5–1 friendly victory against [[Toronto FC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka, Alonso, Albiol and Arbeloa debut |first=Manuel |last=Arcedillo |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202777693753/noticia/Cronica/Kaka,_Alonso,_Albiol_and_Arbeloa_debut.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=8 August 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 }}</ref> He scored his first goal for Madrid during a pre-season match on 19 August 2009, in a 5–0 victory against [[Borussia Dortmund]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goal-scoring efficiency |first=Michael |last=J. O'Donnell |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202778408056/noticia/Cronica/Goal-scoring_efficiency.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=19 August 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822115323/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202778408056/noticia/Cronica/Goal-scoring_efficiency.htm |archivedate=22 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Kaká later made his league debut on 29 August 2009 in a 3–2 win against Deportivo de La Coruña.<ref>{{cite news |title=Great start |first=Michael |last=J O'Donnell |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202781663357/noticia/Cronica/great_start.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=29 August 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715162312/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202781663357/noticia/Cronica/Great_start.htm |archivedate=15 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He scored his first goal, a penalty, on 23 September in a 2–0 win against [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cristiano and Kaka make it four straight |first=Carlos |last=Cristobal |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202797535811/noticia/Cronica/Villarreal_0-2_Real_Madrid.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=23 September 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926030417/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202797535811/noticia/Cronica/Villarreal_0-2_Real_Madrid.htm |archivedate=26 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Real Madrid finished the season as runners-up in [[2009–10 La Liga|La Liga]], with Kaká scoring eight goals and providing six assists in La Liga, and nine goals and eight assists in all competitions.
[[File:Kaká vs Real Sociedad 2011-02-06.jpg|thumb|right|Kaká celebrating a goal with Real Madrid in a 4–1 home victory over [[Real Sociedad]] on 6 February 2011]]
On 5 August 2010, Real Madrid announced that Kaká had undergone a successful surgery on a long-standing left knee injury and would face up to four months on the sidelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/811890/real-madrids-kaka-out-for-up-to-four-months-after-knee-surgery|title=Kaka out for up to four months after knee surgery|date=5 August 2010|work=ESPN FC|accessdate=19 March 2015}}</ref> Kaká returned to training after a long lay-off, with manager [[José Mourinho]] commenting that having Kaká back from injury was like a new signing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/12/18/2266745/kaka-returns-to-squad-training-with-real-madrid-report |title=Kaka Returns To Squad Training With Real Madrid – Report |date=18 December 2010 |accessdate=19 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM|first = Robin|last = Bairner}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/12/07/2249759/real-madrid-coach-jose-mourinho-reiterates-belief-that-kaka |title=Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho Reiterates Belief That Kaka Can Be 'Like A New Signing' In January |date=7 December 2010 |accessdate=19 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM|first = Paul|last = Macdonald}}</ref> After an eight-month absence, Kaká returned to play by entering as a substitute for [[Karim Benzema]] on the 77th minute of a 3–2 victory over [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] on 3 January 2011. He said he was "(...) happy for playing a game again and for stepping onto a pitch."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330033252497/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:__It_was_special_to_play_20_minutes_.htm |title=Kaka: "It was special to play 20 minutes" |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=4 January 2011 |accessdate=1 September 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007191654/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330033252497/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:__It_was_special_to_play_20_minutes_.htm |archivedate=7 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> His first league goal (and his first of the season) after his return from injury came with an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo on a 4–2 victory over Villarreal on 9 January 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330034636042/noticia/Cronica/Ronaldo_steals_show_with_hat-trick.htm |title=Ronaldo steals show with hat-trick |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=9 January 2011 |accessdate=1 September 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007192423/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330034636042/noticia/Cronica/Ronaldo_steals_show_with_hat-trick.htm |archivedate=7 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In March 2011, Kaká suffered from [[Iliotibial band syndrome]], which kept him sidelined for a few weeks. After returning from injury, he appeared in a convincing win over [[Valencia CF|Valencia]], scoring two goals. At the end of his second season with the club, Real Madrid and Kaká had won the [[Copa del Rey]], although they finished as runners-up in both [[2010–11 La Liga|La Liga]] and in the [[2011 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]] to rivals Barcelona. Real Madrid were also knocked out of the [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] by Barcelona in the semi-finals of the competition. Kaká finished [[2010–11 Real Madrid C.F. season|his season]] with seven goals and six assists in all competitions in 20 appearances.
[[File:Kaká Real Madrid Tottenham.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká in action against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in the Champions League]]
On 27 September 2011, Kaká experienced one of his best matches as a Real Madrid player during a 3–0 victory over [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], as he scored one goal, provided one assist and participated in one of the best team build-ups of the matchday: a counterattacking move involving [[Mesut Özil]], Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/09/27/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1317157666.html |title=La contra perfecta |publisher=MARCA.com |accessdate=1 September 2012}}</ref> Kaká was later chosen the best player of the Champions League Matchday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/debate/2011/09/1931/prevotaciones1931.html |title=Encuesta: ¿Quién ha sido el mejor jugador de la segunda jornada de la Champions? |accessdate=19 March 2015|website = Marca|language = Spanish}}</ref> With this match, Kaká experienced one of the best starts to a season he has ever had, scoring two goals, serving two assists and winning one penalty for his team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330067651506/noticia/Noticia/Kaka_s_great_start_to_the_season.htm |title=Kaka's great start to the season |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=28 September 2011 |accessdate=1 September 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831151936/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330067651506/noticia/Noticia/Kaka_s_great_start_to_the_season.htm |archivedate=31 August 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In [[2011–12 Real Madrid C.F. season|2011–12]], Real Madrid won [[2011–12 La Liga|La Liga]] with a record 100 points that year, with Kaká providing nine assists and scoring five goals in the competition. They were, however, eliminated for the second year in a row in the semi-finals of the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], losing out to eventual runners-up [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] on penalties. The decisive misses for Real Madrid were by Ronaldo, Kaká and [[Sergio Ramos]]. Kaká was one of the top assist providers of the Champions League that season, providing five assists. He finished the season with eight goals and 14 assists in all club competitions. Real Madrid were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] by eventual winners Barcelona.
[[File:Real Madrid v Sevilla 10 February 2013 A 10.JPG|thumb|right|Kaká takes a corner kick for Madrid in a La Liga game against [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] in February 2013]]
Real Madrid began the [[2012–13 Real Madrid C.F. season|2012–13 season]] by winning the [[2012 Supercopa de España]] against rivals Barça. On 4 December 2012, after scoring in a 4–1 win against Ajax, Kaká became the top Brazilian goalscorer in Champions League history, with 28 goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1431967-real-madrid-vs-ajax-champions-league-live-score-highlights-recap |title=Real Madrid 4–1 Ajax: Spanish Giants Prove Far Too Much for Dutch to Handle |accessdate=19 March 2015|date = 3 December 2012|first = Michael|last = Cerna|website = Bleacher Report}}</ref> After the match, Kaká said, "This was an important goal for me, and I hope I've still got goals left to help Real Madrid. It was an important win and a special night."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330130032039/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:_%E2%80%9CI_hope_I_ve_got_goals_left_to_help_Real_Madrid%E2%80%9D.htm |title=Kaká: "I hope I've got goals left to help Real Madrid" |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=4 December 2012 |accessdate=21 February 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110131831/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330130032039/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:_%E2%80%9CI_hope_I_ve_got_goals_left_to_help_Real_Madrid%E2%80%9D.htm |archivedate=10 November 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Kaká came on just before an hour was played, but was sent off as he was controversially booked twice within 18 minutes in a 0–0 draw against [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]] on 12 January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/12/sport/football/kaka-mourinho-real-madrid-barcelona-football |title=Kaka sent off as Madrid miss Ronaldo |publisher=Edition.cnn.com |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref> It was his first sending-off at Madrid since he joined from Milan in 2009 and his first red card since he was dismissed playing for [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] against the [[Côte d'Ivoire national football team|Côte d'Ivoire]] at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/real-s-kaka-sees-red-1.200906 |title=Real's Kaka sees red |publisher=Nst.com.my |date=14 January 2013 |accessdate=25 March 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125124250/http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/real-s-kaka-sees-red-1.200906 |archivedate=25 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Real Madrid finished the season in second place in [[2012–13 La Liga|La Liga]] behind Barcelona, and also finished runners-up in the [[2012–13 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] to [[Madrid Derby|city rivals]] [[Atlético Madrid]]. They were eliminated in the semi-finals of the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] for the third consecutive year by eventual runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
On 29 August 2013, Kaká expressed his desire to leave Real Madrid,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11835/8896238/transfer-news-real-madrids-kaka-wants-to-leave-and-is-linked-with-ac-milan-return |title=Transfer news: Real Madrid's Kaka wants to leave and is linked with AC Milan return | Football News |publisher=Sky Sports |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref> having scored 29 goals and provided 32 assists in 120 appearances in all competitions over four seasons at the club.<ref>{{cite web|title=Real Madrid hands Kaka to AC Milan on a free|url=http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/01/real-madrid-hands-kaka-to-ac-milan-on-a-free/|accessdate=10 March 2015|website = NBC Sports (Pro Soccer Talk)|date = 1 September 2013|first = Kyle|last = Bonn}}</ref><ref name="roaminglibero.wordpress.com">{{cite web|title=Kaká: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Ricky Kaká|url=http://roaminglibero.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/ricky-kaka-returns/|accessdate=10 March 2015|date = 13 August 2013|website = The Roaming Libero}}</ref> He said goodbye to Real Madrid and its fans in an [[open letter]] on Twitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/88/spain/2013/09/04/4237245/kaka-bids-emotional-farewell-to-real-madrid |title=Kaka bids emotional farewell to Madrid |publisher=GOAL.COM (USA) |date=4 September 2013 |accessdate=11 March 2015|first = Stefan|last = Coerts}}</ref>
===Return to Milan===
Milan confirmed that Kaká would join the club on 2 September 2013 from Real Madrid on a free transfer with only performance-related incentives owed to Madrid; after agreeing to personal terms, he signed a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23893239|title=Brazil international leaves Real Madrid for AC Milan|date=2 September 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10280329/Transfer-deadline-day-2013-Kaka-re-joins-AC-Milan-on-free-transfer-from-Real-Madrid.html|title = Transfer deadline day 2013: Kaka re-joins AC Milan on free transfer from Real Madrid|date = 2 September 2013|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = The Telegraph|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2408699/Kaka-moves-AC-Milan-Real-Madrid-year-deal.html|title = Madrid let Milan have Kaka for Free|date = 2 September 2013|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Drayton|first = John}}</ref> Kaká's contract was worth €4 million net per year and he was given the number 22 shirt, the same number he wore for Milan during his first spell.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2013/09/02/4231203/official-ac-milan-sign-kaka?ICID=CP_1|title=Official: AC Milan sign Kaka|date=2 September 2013|accessdate=11 March 2015|publisher=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/234731.html|title = Kaka snubs England for Milan return|date = 2 September 2013|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = ESPN (UK)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> He was also made the [[Captain (association football)|vice-captain]] upon his arrival.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaka made AC Milan vice captain|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1548859/kaka-made-ac-milan-vice-captain?campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=4716|publisher=ESPN FC|accessdate=11 March 2015|last = Gladwell|first = Ben|date = 10 September 2015}}</ref> He captained Milan in his debut for second spell, taking the armband from goalkeeper [[Marco Amelia]] in a match against [[FC Chiasso|Chiasso]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaka thankful to captain Milan|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1547627/kaka-thankful-captaincy-ac-milan-debut?cc=4716|publisher=ESPN FC|accessdate=11 March 2015|date = 9 September 2013}}</ref>
Kaká tore his left adductor muscle during his first competitive appearance, deciding not to accept any wages from Milan whilst he regained fitness.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1554352/ac-milan-kaka-forgo-pay-injured?cc=5739 |title=Kaka to forgo pay while injured |first=Ben |last=Gladwell |work=ESPN FC |date=16 September 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> He made his return for Milan on 19 October after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory against [[Udinese Calcio|Udinese]]. In his next match, on 22 October, Kaká assisted [[Robinho]] in the 1–1 home draw against Barcelona in the [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]. His first goal, described by [[ESPN]] as "a sensational [[Curl (football)|curling]] shot from the edge of the area into the top right-hand corner," opened the scoring in a 1–1 home draw at [[San Siro]] to Lazio on 30 October.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/uk/en/report/377214/report.html?soccernet=true |title=Disappointing draw for Milan |work=ESPN FC |date=30 October 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> On 7 January 2014, Kaká scored his 100th goal for Milan by an opening goal in a match against [[Atalanta B.C.|Atalanta]]; he later went on to score another goal 30 minutes later.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/milan-vs-atalanta/1552184/report|title = AC Milan 3–0 Atalanta: Kaka double eases pressure on hosts|date = 5 January 2014|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM|publisher = |last = Davies|first = Jack}}</ref> On 11 March he scored a goal against [[Atletico Madrid]] in [[Vicente Calderón Stadium]], this goal made him the last player to score against Atlético Madrid at Vicente Calderón for three seasons in knockout phase until [[Isco]] scored against them in [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League]] semi final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/05/11/59145fcf468aeb15538b4579.html|title= Isco's happiest defeat|publisher=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]] |date=11 May 2017|first = JORGE |last = FERNÁNDEZ}}</ref> On 29 March 2014, Kaká scored twice in a 3–0 win against Chievo, his 300th match for Milan.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/ac-milan/result/result-kaka-inspires-ac-milan-to-chievo-victory_147119.html|title = Result: Kaka inspires AC Milan to Chievo victory|date = 29 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = Sports Mole|publisher = |last = Callaghan|first = Shane}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/03/30/soccer-italy-idINDEEA2T02120140330|title = Kaka scores twice in 300th game as Milan triumph|date = 30 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = Reuters|publisher = |last = Daley|first = Terry}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26713980|title = Brazilian playmaker Kaka scored twice as AC Milan recorded a second successive Serie A win with a comfortable defeat of Chievo.|date = 29 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/ac-milan-claims-second-straight-serie-a-victory-with-3-0-win-over-chievo-032914|title = Balotelli, Kaka lead AC Milan to second straight win against Chievo|date = 29 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = FOX Soccer|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
In June 2014, it was reported that Kaká had entered into advanced discussions with [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]] to join the team in January 2015 when they enter [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/20/orlando-city-kaka-mls-2015|title=Orlando City on brink of bringing Kaká to MLS in 2015 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 June 2014 |accessdate=11 March 2015|first = Parker|last = Graham}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27936942|title = Kaka: AC Milan forward in talks with MLS side Orlando City|date = 20 June 2014|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
On 30 June 2014, Kaká had his Milan contract terminated through mutual consent despite having a year remaining, by activating a release clause as a result of the team not qualifying for European competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/60834|title = OFFICIAL AC MILAN COMMUNICATION|date = 30 June 2014|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = [[A.C. Milan]]|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
===Orlando City===
[[File:Kaka and Kevin Molino.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Kaká with [[Kevin Molino]] in 2015.]]
Kaka joined future MLS franchise Orlando City as their first [[Designated Player Rule|Designated Player]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/07/01/uk-soccer-kaka-orlando-idUKKBN0F64XF20140701|title = Brazilian soccer star Kaká signs MLS contract with Orlando|date = 2 July 2014|accessdate = 17 March 2015|website = Reuters|publisher = |last = Liston|first = Barbara}}</ref> He stated that he had "always" wanted to play in the United States, and cited the Brazilian owner Flávio Augusto da Silva as a reason for signing. Until Orlando entered the league in [[2015 Major League Soccer season|2015]], Kaká was loaned to his first club São Paulo, which he called "really satisfying."<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka: Brazilian to join Orlando City via Sao Paulo after AC Milan exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28092779|accessdate=11 March 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ORLANDO CITY SIGNS BRAZILIAN SUPERSTAR KAKA|url=http://orlandocitysc.com/news/?article_id=1932|accessdate=1 July 2014|publisher=Orlando City SC|date=1 July 2014}}</ref>
By signing for Orlando City, Kaká became the highest-paid player in MLS history, with a base salary of [[United States dollar|US$]]6.6 million per year, and with a guaranteed compensation of $7.2 million per year.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2062207/kaka-tops-clint-dempsey-for-highest-paid-player-in-mls|title = Kaka tops Clint Dempsey as the highest-paid player in MLS|date = 29 September 2014|accessdate = 10 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = Carlisle|first = Jeff}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/29/mls-salary-figures-2014-kaka-david-villa-nycfc-orlando-city|title = Kaka to be highest-paid player in MLS history; more salary figures|date = 29 September 2014|accessdate = 17 March 2015|website = Planet Futbol (Sports Illustrated)|publisher = |last = Abnos|first = Alexander}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/30/kaka-highest-paid-mls-player-earnings-7m-orlando-city|title = Kaká set to become highest-paid MLS player with earnings of over $7m|date = 30 September 2014|accessdate = 10 March 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2014/09/29/5143454/kaka-is-major-league-soccers-highest-paid-player|title = Kaka is Major League Soccer's highest-paid player|date = 29 September 2014|accessdate = 10 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM (USA)|publisher = |last = Vertelney|first = Seth}}</ref>
====São Paulo (loan)====
On 3 July 2014, Kaká arrived at São Paulo and began training the next day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sem folga, Kaká treina em dois períodos|url=http://www.saopaulofc.net/noticias/noticias/treino/2014/7/5/sem-folga,-kaka-treina-em-dois-periodos/|accessdate=27 July 2014|publisher=São Paulo FC|date=5 July 2014|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He made his comeback in a [[2014 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|league]] match against [[Goiás Esporte Clube|Goiás]] on 27 July 2014, starting and scoring a goal in the 76th minute, although his team lost 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=Goiás encontra o caminho do gol e bate o São Paulo na estreia de Kaká|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/brasileirao2014/27-07-2014/goias-sao-paulo.html|accessdate=27 July 2014|publisher=Globo Esporte|date=27 July 2014|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On 4 September 2014, in the second round of the [[2014 Copa Sudamericana|Copa Sudamericana]], Kaká scored in a 2–0 victory over [[Criciúma Esporte Clube|Criciúma]].<ref>{{cite news|title=SÃO PAULO VS. CRICIÚMA 2 – 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/05/south-america/copa-sudamericana/sao-paulo-futebol-clube/criciuma-esporte-clube/1914507/|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Soccerway|date=4 September 2014}}</ref> On 9 November 2014, Kaká scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over [[Esporte Clube Vitória|Vitória]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka helps Sao Paulo down Vitoria|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/11/09/kaka-helps-sao-paulo-down-vitoria/|accessdate=9 November 2014|publisher=Fox Sports|date=9 November 2014}}</ref>
==== Return to Orlando City ====
Kaká scored in his first match for Orlando City, a 4–0 friendly win over [[FC Dallas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/02/05/kick-kaka-scores-first-goal-orlando-city-tim-cahill-reacts-new-york-red-bulls|title = Kick Off: Kaka scores his first goal for Orlando City|date = 5 February 2015|accessdate = 13 February 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Keep|first = James}}</ref> Kaká then scored again in a 1–1 friendly draw against [[New York City FC]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/blog/soccer-usa/70/post/2313852/kaka-scores-wondergoal-for-orlando-city-and-the-colorado-rapids-add-a-dp|title = Kaka scores wondergoal for Orlando City and the Colorado Rapids add a DP|date = 23 February 2015|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = Davis|first = Jason}}</ref> On 8 March 2015, Kaká scored a free kick for the equaliser in a 1–1 draw on his MLS debut against New York City FC at the [[Citrus Bowl]], the first in Orlando City's competitive history.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/09/kaka-orlando-city-new-york-mls|title = Debutant Kaká earns Orlando draw against New York with injury-time goal|date = 9 March 2015|accessdate = 9 March 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = Veness|first = Simon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/os-orlando-city-nycfc-live-gamer-20150308-story.html|title = Kaká saves the day for Orlando City in opener|date = 8 March 2015|accessdate = 9 March 2015|website = Orlando Sentinel|publisher = |last = Tenorio|first = Paul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2337997/kaka-scores-late-as-orlando-draws-with-nycfc-in-mls-debuts|title = Kaka scores late as Orlando splits spoils with NYCFC in MLS debuts|date = 8 March 2015|accessdate = 9 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> Kaká scored one and assisted another in a 2–2 draw with [[Montreal Impact]] on 28 March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/28/montreal-impact-2-orlando-city-2-mls-match-recap|title = Montreal Impact 2, Orlando City 2 {{!}} MLS Match Recap|date = 28 March 2015|accessdate = 3 April 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Tremblay|first = Olivier}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2412599-kaka-scores-for-orlando-city-in-mls-clash-away-to-montreal-impact|title = Kaka Scores for Orlando City in MLS Clash Away to Montreal Impact|date = 28 March 2015|accessdate = 3 April 2015|website = Bleacher Report|publisher = |last = Patterson|first = Mark}}</ref> Kaká came second in the ''Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month ''poll'' ''for his performances in March.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/02/vancouver-whitecap-fcs-octavio-rivero-wins-etihad-airways-mls-player-month-m|title = Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Octavio Rivero wins Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month for March|date = 2 April 2015|accessdate = 19 April 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
On 13 April 2015, Kaká scored a penalty against [[Portland Timbers]] in a 2–0 win.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-04-12-portland-timbers-vs-orlando-city-sc/recap|title = Portland Timbers 0, Orlando City SC 2 {{!}} MLS Match Recap|date = 13 April 2015|accessdate = 19 April 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Itel|first = Dan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/12/kakas-penalty-helps-orlando-city-sink-portland-timbers|title = Kaká's penalty helps Orlando City sink Portland Timbers|date = 13 April 2015|accessdate = 19 April 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> On 17 May 2015, Kaká scored one and assisted another in Orlando City's 4–0 win over defending MLS champions [[LA Galaxy]]. By doing so, Orlando became the first expansion team to beat a defending MLS champion by more than a three-goal margin.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/os-orlando-city-la-galaxy-george-diaz-0517-20150517-column.html|title = Orlando City spices it up with 4–0 rout versus L.A. Galaxy|date = 17 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Orlando Sentinel|publisher = |last = Diaz|first = George}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3085743/Orlando-City-4-0-LA-Galaxy-Kaka-stars-Lions-tear-Bruce-Arena-s-earn-Major-League-Soccer-home-win.html#article-3085743|title = Orlando City 4–0 LA Galaxy: Kaka stars as Lions tear through Bruce Arena's side to earn first Major League Soccer home win|date = 18 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Prescott|first = Daniel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/18/us-soccer-mls-idUSKBN0O304320150518|title = Kaka inspires Orlando to 4–0 thrashing of Galaxy|date = 17 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Reuters|publisher = |last = Simon Evans|first = and Peter Rutherford}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/05/17/after-smashing-la-galaxy-first-mls-home-win-orlando-city-think-citrus-bowl-c|title = After smashing LA Galaxy for first MLS home win, Orlando City think the Citrus Bowl "can be a fortress"|date = 19 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Rothschild|first = Ty}}</ref> On 30 June, Kaká scored Orlando's opening goal in the 21st minute of his [[2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|Open Cup]] debut, helping his team to a 2–0 home win over [[Columbus Crew SC|Columbus Crew]], in the fifth round of the competition, which enabled the club to advance to the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecup.us/2015/07/01/2015-us-open-cup-round-5-kaka-scores-in-debut-as-orlando-city-hands-columbus-crew-first-ever-shutout-loss-video/|title=2015 US Open Cup Round 5: Kaka scores in debut as Orlando City hands Columbus Crew first-ever shutout loss (video)|publisher=thecup.us|author1=Brian Venard|date=1 July 2015|accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref> On 5 July, he received the first straight red card of his career in a 1–1 away draw against [[Real Salt Lake]]; he had previously scored a goal during the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/05/kaka-shown-first-straight-red-card-his-career-after-scoring-spectacular-goal|title=Kaka shown first straight red card of his career after scoring spectacular goal vs. Real Salt Lake|publisher=MLS|date=6 July 2015|accessdate=5 July 2015}}</ref> Later that month, Kaká was named to the [[2015 MLS All-Star Game]] as the team's captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/20/orlando-city-midfielder-kaka-voted-2015-att-mls-all-star-captain|title=Orlando City midfielder Kaka voted 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star captain|publisher=MLS|date=20 July 2015|accessdate=20 July 2015}}</ref> During the MLS All-Star Game on 29 July, at the [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] in [[Commerce City, Colorado]], he scored from a penalty and later assisted [[David Villa]] as the MLS All-Stars defeated [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] 2–1; Kaká was named [[2015 MLS All-Star Game#Details|MVP]] of the match.<ref>{{cite web|title=MLS All-Stars 2–1 Tottenham: Kaka and David Villa down Spurs|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/9929022/mls-all-stars-2-1-tottenham-kaka-and-david-villa-down-spurs|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=30 July 2015|date=30 July 2015}}</ref> Despite his efforts, he was unable to help Orlando City become the first expansion team to qualify for the [[2015 MLS Cup Playoffs|MLS Cup Playoffs]] since the [[Seattle Sounders FC|Seattle Sounders]] in 2009, as Orlando narrowly missed out on the sixth seed spot in the Eastern Conference;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/10/25/philadelphia-union-1-orlando-city-sc-0-mls-match-recap|title=Philadelphia Union 1, Orlando City SC 0 – MLS Match Recap|publisher=MLS Soccer|author1=Dave Zeitlin|date=25 October 2015|accessdate=26 October 2015}}</ref> he ended his first season with 9 goals and 7 assists in 28 MLS appearances, also scoring another goal from two appearances in the 2015 MLS Open Cup.<ref name="Kaká-MLSProfile"/>
[[File:Kaka 17.jpg|thumb|left|left|Kaká with [[Major League Soccer All-Star Game|MLS All-Star team]] in 2016]]
After initially being sidelined through injury and missing Orlando City's first three matches of the [[2016 Major League Soccer season|2016 MLS season]], Kaká returned to the team's starting line-up and made his first appearance of the season on 3 April, against the Portland Timbers; he assisted two goals and later scored one himself in a 4–1 home victory,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/apr/08/mls-kaka-orlando-city-brilliant|title=MLS preview: Kaka's back for Orlando City – and he's still brilliant|publisher=The Guardian|author1=Tim Hill|date=8 April 2016|accessdate=12 April 2016}}</ref> and was subsequently named to the MLS team of the week for his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/04/2016-team-week-wk-5-kaka-returns-lead-orlando-city-over-champs|title=2016 Team of the Week (Wk 5): Kaká returns to lead Orlando City over champs|publisher=MLS Soccer|author1=Benjamin Baer|date=4 April 2016|accessdate=12 April 2016}}</ref> In July 2016, he was included in the roster for the [[2016 MLS All-Star Game]].<ref name="Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal">{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-pirlo-and-kaka-headline-mls-all-star-squad-face-arsenal|title=Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=17 July 2016|accessdate=18 July 2016}}</ref> He finished his second MLS season with the club with 9 goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances,<ref name="Kaká-MLSProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kaka|title=Kaká|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|accessdate=31 October 2016}}</ref> as Orlando once again failed to qualify for the [[2016 MLS Cup Playoffs|MLS Cup Playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/10/21/orlandos-kaka-eager-2017-demands-more-pressure-winning-mentality|title=Orlando's Kaka eager for 2017 but demands more pressure, winning mentality|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|author1=Simon Veness|date=21 October 2016|accessdate=31 October 2016}}</ref>
On 5 March 2017, in Orlando City's opening match of the MLS season against New York City, and the club's [[Orlando City Stadium|stadium]] debut, Kaká hit the turf clutching his left leg just minutes after the game had started; the Lions beat their opponents 1–0. Later, it was reported that Kaká would be out for 6 weeks due to a hamstring strain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-sp-kaka-out-six-weeks-with-hamstring-pull-20170306-story.html|title= Kaká out 6 weeks after pulling hamstring in Orlando City’s season opener|publisher=orlandosentinel.com}}</ref> Kaka came back in action and he scored on his return in Orlando City 2–0 win over [[Colorado Rapids]] on 29 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3115681/mls-kaka-scores-in-return-to-orlando-city-as-whitecaps-rally-past-impact|title=Kaka scores in return to Orlando City as Whitecaps rally past Impact|publisher=espnfc.com}}</ref> The next week, he scored another goal in Orlando's 2–1 loss against [[Toronto FC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/05/04/cyle-larin-cant-convert-vs-toronto-and-orlando-city-seeks-other-offense|title=Cyle Larin can't convert vs. Toronto, and Orlando City seeks other offense}}</ref> He scored his third goal of the season in a 2–2 draw against [[Sporting Kansas City|Sporting KC]] on 13 May 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/05/13/orlando-city-sc-2-sporting-kansas-city-2-2017-mls-match-recap|title= Orlando City SC 2, Sporting Kansas City 2, 2017 MLS Match Recap}}</ref> On 14 June, he played in the 3–1 loss in [[2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]] match against [[Miami FC]] which was coached by his former teammate [[Alessandro Nesta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/15-06-2017/us-open-cup-miami-nesta-elimina-orlando-city-kaka-nocerino-2001013144091.shtml|title= US Open Cup: il Miami di Nesta elimina l'Orlando City di Kakà e Nocerino|publisher=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]|accessdate=15 June 2017}}</ref> On 17 June he assisted [[Matías Pérez García]]'s goal against [[Montreal Impact]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/17/orlando-city-sc-3-montreal-impact-3-2017-mls-match-recap|title= Orlando City SC 3, Montreal Impact 3, 2017 MLS Match Recap|accessdate=17 June 2017}}</ref> The following match, he provided another assist for [[Scott Sutter]] last minute equalizer against Seattle Sounders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/22/seattle-sounders-fc-1-orlando-city-sc-1-2017-mls-match-recap|title= Seattle Sounders FC 1, Orlando City SC 1, 2017 MLS Match Recap |accessdate=22 June 2017}}</ref> On 7 July, he was chosen to play for the [[2017 MLS All-Star Game]] for the third consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/07/07/2017-mls-all-star-fan-xi|title=2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target headed by hometown stars|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> He scored a long range stunner against [[Atlanta United FC|Atlanta United]] on 29 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/07/29/orlando-city-draws-1-1-atlanta-united|title= Orlando City Draws 1-1 at Atlanta United|accessdate=29 July 2017}}</ref>
Orland City were officially eliminated from playoff contention on 7 October, following [[New York Red Bulls]]'s 3–0 victory over [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC|Vancouver Whitecaps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/new-york-red-bulls-vancouver-whitecaps-recap-1.4345663|title=Red Bulls clinch playoff spot with shutout of Whitecaps|publisher=CBC|date=7 October 2017|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref> Kaká announced on 11 October 2017 that he would not be renewing his contract with Orlando City for the 2018 MLS season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/orlando-city-sc/story/3226937/kaka-leaving-orlando-city-after-three-years|title=Kaka won't renew contract with Orlando City at season's end|publisher=espnfc.com|date=11 October 2017|accessdate=16 October 2017}}</ref> He played his last official match for Orlando on 15 October in a 1–0 home defeat against Columbus Crew;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themaneland.com/2017/10/15/16479932/orlando-city-vs-columbus-crew-final-score-1-0-as-lions-lose-kakas-final-mls-match|title=Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew: Final Score 1-0 as Lions Lose Kaká’s Final MLS Match|publisher=espnfc.com|date=15 October 2017|accessdate=16 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/10/15/hard-day-very-happy-day-kak-bids-farewell-orlando-city-sc|title=Kaká bids farewell to Orlando City SC: A "hard day, but very happy"|publisher=www.mlssoccer.com|author1=Simon Veness|date=16 October 2017|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref> he finished the 2017 MLS season with 6 goals and 5 assists in 23 league appearances.<ref name="Kaká-MLSProfile"/> He later appeared once more for Orlando, in a 6–1 home win over the [[Puerto Rico national football team|Puerto Rican national team]] in the ''Fuerza Puerto Rico'' friendly, held on 5 November, to raise money for [[Hurricane Maria]] relief. In total, Kaká made 75 league appearances in his three seasons with Orlando, scoring 24 goals and providing 22 assists.<ref name="Fuerza Puerto Rico">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/11/05/kak-makes-final-curtain-call-friendly-puerto-rican-hurricane-relief|title=Kaká makes final curtain call in friendly for Puerto Rican hurricane relief|publisher=www.mlssoccer.com|author1=Ian Quillen|date=5 November 2017|accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref>
===Retirement===
Kaká announced his retirement on 17 December 2017, after turning down offers from former clubs [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] and [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]. He also expressed interest in working as a [[Director of football|director]], confirming that his former club Milan had offered him a role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/programas/esporte-espetacular/noticia/kaka-anuncia-aposentadoria-e-diz-que-vai-estudar-para-ser-dirigente.ghtml|title=Kaká anuncia aposentadoria e diz que vai estudar para ser dirigente|trans-title=Kaká announces retirement and says he will prepare to become a director|publisher=Globoesporte.com|language=portuguese|author1=Marcel Merguizo|date=17 December 2017|accessdate=17 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/17/kaka-retires-football-age-35-milan-brazil|title=Former Milan and Real Madrid player Kaká retires from football at age of 35|last=Reuters|date=2017-12-17|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-12-19|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==International career==
[[File:Kaka061115.jpg|thumb|upright|Kaká with Brazil]]
Kaká was called up for the [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship]], but the [[Brazil national football team|Brazilians]] crashed out to [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] in the quarter-finals. Several months later, he made his debut for the senior Brazil squad in a friendly match against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] on 31 January 2002. He was part of Brazil's [[2002 FIFA World Cup]]-winning squad in Korea/Japan, but played only 25 minutes, all of which were in the first round match against [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kakafans.net/kakablog.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016154138/http://kakafans.net/kakablog.php|archivedate=16 October 2007 |title=// Kaka's World Cup Blog – IN ENGLISH! |publisher=Kakafans.net |accessdate=12 December 2010}}</ref>
In 2003, Kaká was the captain for the [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup]], where Brazil, competing with their [[Brazil Olympic football team|under-23 team]], finished as runner-up to [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]. He scored three goals during the tournament. He was included in Brazil's squad for [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]] in Germany. He appeared in all five matches and scored one goal in a 4–1 win over [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/news/newsid=2653396/|title=Brazilian carnival climaxes Frankfurt festival|publisher=FIFA.com|date=29 June 2015|accessdate=7 July 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Kaka.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Kaká training with Brazil prior to the start of the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]]]
Kaká started in his first [[FIFA World Cup]] finals in [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] and scored his first and only goal of the tournament in Brazil's 1–0 victory over [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in Brazil's opener, for which he was named [[Man of the Match]].<ref name="MoTM">[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/news/newsid=11848.html Budweiser Man of the Match] – FIFA.com, 13 June 2006</ref> Kaká was unable to keep up the momentum for the remainder of the tournament, as Brazil was eliminated by [[France national football team|France]] in the quarter-finals with French star [[Thierry Henry]] scoring the winner.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991616.stm|title = Brazil 0–1 France: Thierry Henry's superb volley sent holders Brazil out of the World Cup as France moved into the semi-finals.|date = 1 July 2006|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> In a friendly against rivals Argentina on 3 September 2006, after entering as a substitute, Kaká received the ball off a deflection from an Argentina corner kick and outran [[Lionel Messi]] while taking the ball down three quarters of the field to score.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=105920.html|title=New-look Brazil sink Argentina|date=4 September 2006|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref>
On 12 May 2007, citing an exhaustive schedule of [[Serie A]], [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and national team play, Kaká bowed out of the [[Copa América 2007|2007 Copa América]], which Brazil won.<ref>[http://www.wldcup.com/news/2007/05/20070512_42374_soccer_news.html Tired Kaká to skip Copa America] – World Soccer News, 5 December 2007</ref> After missing out on the Copa América, he returned to play in Brazil's friendly match against [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] on 22 August 2007.
Kaká participated in the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]], wearing the [[Squad number (association football)|number 10 shirt]], marking his first international tournament since the 2006 World Cup. His only two goals came in Brazil's group stage opener against [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] on 14 June, when he scored a goal in the fifth minute and then added a 90th-minute penalty in Brazil's 4–3 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8097813.stm|title=Brazil 4–3 Egypt |date=15 June 2009|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=30 June 2009 | first=Mark | last=Ashenden}}</ref> Kaká also provided two assists throughout the tournament. He received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament at the Confederations Cup and was also named the Man of the Match in the final after helping Brazil to a 3–2 win against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1077806.html#top+awards+brazilian|title=Top awards for Brazilian duo|date=28 June 2009|work=FIFA.com|accessdate=30 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8120561.stm|title=US 2–3 Brazil |date=28 June 2009|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=30 June 2009 | first=Phil | last=Dawkes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká Fact File|url=http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|publisher=Espnstar|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721090409/http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|archivedate=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Brazil & Chile match at World Cup 2010-06-28 6.jpg|right|thumb|Kaká (left) playing for Brazil against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] at the 2010 World Cup.]]
At the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] in South Africa, during the match against [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] on 20 June, Kaká received a controversial red card after receiving two yellow cards. The second card was given for an alleged elbow in the direction of [[Abdul Kader Keïta]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/02/holland-brazil-world-cup-match-report|title = World Cup 2010: Holland knock out Brazil with spirited comeback|date = 2 July 2010|accessdate = 15 March 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = Williams|first = Richard}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2010 FIFA World Cup: Kaka's Wild Red Card Proves Need for Video Replay|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/409009-a-wild-red-card-on-kaka-we-need-video-replay-for-world-cup|accessdate=6 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249718/match=300061507/index.html#nosticky|title = Dutch fightback buries Brazil|date = 2 July 2010|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = FIFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> Kaká ended the tournament with three assists in total, as the joint-top assist provider, although he failed to score a goal during the tournament. Brazil eventually ended up losing 2–1 to World Cup eventual runners-up [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] in the quarter-finals of the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_57/default.stm|title = Netherlands 2–1 Brazil: The Netherlands produced a stunning second-half comeback to reach the semi-finals as Brazil's World Cup imploded in a dramatic game in Port Elizabeth.|date = 2 July 2010|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = Bevan|first = Chris}}</ref> After more than a year absence from the national team due to a series of injuries, Kaká was recalled on 27 October 2011 for the friendly matches against [[Gabon national football team|Gabon]] and Egypt in November.<ref>[http://www.cbf.com.br/noticias/selecao-brasileira/2011/10/27/convocacao-do-mano Seleção Brasileira está convocada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029011304/http://www.cbf.com.br/noticias/selecao-brasileira/2011/10/27/convocacao-do-mano |date=29 October 2011 }}</ref> He later had to be removed from the squad due to a calf injury, and thus did not play either of the matches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brazil's Kaka misses friendlies against Gabon and Egypt|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15626159|publisher=BBC|date=12 October 2015}}</ref>
After not appearing for Brazil in two years, Kaká was recalled on 28 September 2012 for the friendly matches against [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]] and [[Japan national football team|Japan]] in October.<ref>{{cite web|last=Etherington |first=Tom |url=http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/36225_kaka__i_did_not_expect_brazil_recall.html |title=Kaká: I did not expect Brazil recall |publisher=Sambafoot.com |accessdate=30 September 2012}}</ref> Following his recall to the ''Seleção'' squad, Kaká stated, "I admit it was a surprise this call ... When the list was published, I was extremely happy. It was like my first call-up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/3296/brazil/2012/09/28/3410006/kaka-elated-with-surprise-return-to-brazilian-national-team |title='Kaka elated with surprise return to Brazilian national team |publisher=Goal.com |accessdate=30 September 2012}}</ref> Brazil coach [[Mano Menezes]] stated that despite Kaká and [[Oscar (footballer born 1991)|Oscar]]'s similarities, the two would be able to play alongside each other, as Kaká had slightly changed his playing style.<ref>{{cite web|last=Etherington |first=Tom |url=http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/36221_mano_menezes_believes_kaka_and_chelsea_s_oscar_can_play_alongside_each_other_for_brazil.html |title=Mano Menezes believes Kaká and Chelsea's Oscar can play alongside each other for Brazil |publisher=Sambafoot.com |accessdate=30 September 2012}}</ref> On his return to the national side, Kaká scored in both matches, a 6–0 win over Iraq<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2216523/Brazil-6-Iraq-0-Oscar-Kaka-Hulk-Neymar-Lucas-target.html|title=Brazil 6 Iraq 0: Oscar gets two as Kaka nets after two-year hiatus from international duty|date=11 October 2012|publisher=Daily Mail}}</ref> and a 4–0 win over Japan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/neymar-scores-twice-as-brazil-demolish-japan-in-friendly-in-poland-8213711.html|title=Neymar scores twice as Brazil demolish Japan in friendly in Poland|date=16 October 2012|publisher=The Independent}}</ref> Kaká retained his place in the squad for Brazil's 1,000th game in history, a 1–1 friendly draw against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] on 14 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1207502/brazil-name-strong-squad-for-colombia-clash?cc=5739 |title=Brazil name strong squad for Colombia clash |publisher=Soccernet.espn.go.com |date=30 October 2012 |accessdate=21 February 2013}}</ref>
On 5 March 2013, Kaká was called up by new Brazil coach [[Luiz Felipe Scolari]] for the first time since the coach's return, for [[Exhibition game|friendlies]] with [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in [[London]] and [[Russia national football team|Russia]] in [[Geneva]], both taking place late in that month.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sargeant, Jack |url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/18/4119626/brazil-vs-italy-russia-team-news-squad-2014-world-cup-qualifying |title=Kaka included; Ronaldinho omitted from Brazil squad |publisher=SBNation.com |date=18 March 2013 |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/item/205113-kaka-vows-to-earn-brazil-world-cup-berth |title=Kaka vows to earn Brazil World Cup berth |publisher=Sports.ndtv.com |date=19 March 2013 |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref> Kaká, however, was not selected for the national team for the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013 Confederations Cup]] and was also omitted in Scolari's [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] squad.<ref>[http://www.cbssports.com/world-cup/eye-on-world-cup/24553498/brazil-names-23-man-world-cup-roster-ronaldinho-kaka-left-out "Brazil names 23-man World Cup roster; Ronaldinho, Kaka left out"]. CBS. Retrieved 24 May 2014</ref> After almost 18 months, Kaká was recalled to the Brazilian team in October 2014 by new manager [[Dunga]] for friendlies against Argentina and Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/kaka-earns-brazil-recall/1ev43oammqx721at3ubvdbut6o|title = Kaka earns Brazil recall|date = 3 October 2014|accessdate = 14 February 2015|website = Football Australia|publisher = |last = Hanson|first = Peter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2780051/Alexandre-Pato-smashes-EGG-Kaka-hearing-Dunga-called-former-AC-Milan-star-Brazil.html|title = Kaka takes an egg to the head from Alexandre Pato as Brazil star receives recall to national team|date = 4 October 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Miles|first = Grant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/10/04/kaka-earns-brazil-recall|title = Kaka earns Brazil recall|date = 4 October 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = SBS (The World Game)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> On 1 May 2015, Kaká was selected as one of seven stand-by players in Brazil's preliminary squad for the [[2015 Copa América]],<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-orlando-city-soccer-kaka-brazil-copa-america-20150512-post.html|title = Orlando City's Kaká added to Brazil's preliminary Copa América squad|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Orlando Sentinel|publisher = |last = Tenorio|first = Paul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/05/12/orlando-city-scs-kaka-added-brazils-copa-america-squad-could-miss-six-mls-ga|title = Orlando City SC's Kaká added to Brazil’s Copa América preliminary roster|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/05/12/brazil-copa-america-kaka-dunga|title = Dunga names Kaká among Brazil's Copa America roster alternates|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Planet Futbol (Sports Illustrated)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/orlando-city-ace-kaka-brazil-s-preliminary-list-copa-america-4076914#.VVK4HJMndf4|title = Orlando City ace Kaka on Brazil’s preliminary list for Copa America|date = 13 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Tribal Football|publisher = |last = Slevison|first = Andrew}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/05/12/kaka-added-brazil-squad|title = Kaka added to Brazil squad|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = SBS (The World Game)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> although he was not called up for the final tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12027/9881427/copa-america-2015-can-dunga8217s-new-look-squad-triumph-in-chile|title=Copa America 2015: Can Dunga's new-look Brazil squad triumph in Chile?|publisher=Sky Sports|date=14 June 2015|accessdate=7 July 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, he was called up to the national team once again for the team's international friendlies in September, and made a substitute appearance in Brazil's 1–0 victory over Costa Rica on 5 September; this was his first appearance for Brazil in almost a year, and his 90th appearance for his country overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/chlg/news/823944|title=Orlando City captain Kaka returns as Brazil defeats Costa Rica|publisher=The Score|author1=Armen Bedakian|date=5 September 2015|accessdate=10 September 2015}}</ref> Following [[Douglas Costa]]'s left thigh injury in late May 2016, which ruled him out of Brazil's [[Copa América Centenario]] squad, Kaká was called up as a replacement by Dunga.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36396523|title=Copa America: Kaka replaces injured Douglas Costa in Brazil squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> On 30 May, he subsequently appeared as an 80th-minute substitute in a pre-Copa América friendly warm-up match against [[Panama national football team|Panama]], which ended in a 2–0 victory to Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/05/30/kaka-makes-substitute-appearance-brazil-defeat-panama-2-0|title=Kaká makes substitute appearance as Brazil defeat Panama 2-0|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|author1=Benjamin Baer|date=30 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref> A muscle injury sustained in early June, however, also ruled Kaká out of the upcoming tournament; he was replaced by [[Paulo Henrique Ganso|Ganso]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36432510|title=Copa America: Kaka ruled out for Brazil with injury|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 June 2016|accessdate=2 June 2016}}</ref>
==Style of play==
{{Quote box||width=29%|align = right |quote = "For two, maybe three seasons [at Milan] he was the best player in the world, there was nothing he couldn’t do."
|source =—Brazilian playmaker [[Ronaldinho]] on Kaká.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2980792/Lionel-Messi-Thierry-Henry-Kaka-legends-Ronaldinho-s-Champions-League-dream-team.html|title=Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Kaka make Ronaldinho's Champions League dream team|issue=6 March 2015|publisher=Daily Mail|last = Morlidge|first = Matt |accessdate=6 March 2015}}</ref>}}
[[File:Kaka 355 280 px.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká at Milan in 2009, a club where he spent his prime years]]
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Kaká has been described on the [[FIFA]] website as having the "capacity to glide almost effortlessly past opponents, provide defence-splitting passes and score consistently from distance."<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player=184312/profile.html "Kaka Profile"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 7 June 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/17/newsstory.acmilan|title=Kaka named world's best player|publisher=The Guardian|date=17 December 2007|accessdate=18 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/features/177868-lionel-messi-magic-captivates-even-football-legends|title=Messi magic captivates even football legends|accessdate=18 December 2014}}</ref> During his prime at Milan in the mid to late 2000s, and prior to the injuries he suffered at Real Madrid which affected his mobility, he was a quick, agile, highly skilful and creative team player with great pace, ball control and balance, capable of [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] past defenders in one on one situations as well as during counterattacks.<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame"/><ref name="repubblica.it">{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2003/j/sezioni/sport/calcio/champions_league/mibruprima/mibruprima/mibruprima.html?ref=search|title=Kakà, Rui, Sheva e Inzaghi tutti insieme per il Bruges|publisher=La Repubblica|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2004/ottobre/25/Kaka_slalom_ammoniti_Maldini_non_co_9_041025078.shtml|title=Kakà in slalom: 4 ammoniti Maldini non sbaglia niente|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=Italian|date=25 October 2004|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2004/a/sezioni/sport/calcio/classe/classe/classe.html?ref=search|title=Kakà, un predestinato alta classe brasiliana|publisher=La Repubblica|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Matchett">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2738922-the-forgotten-genius-of-kaka|title=The Forgotten Genius of Kaka|publisher=bleacherreport.com|author1=Karl Matchett|date=16 October 2017|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref> Regarding Kaká's speed and elegance on the ball, in 2017, Karl Matchett of ''[[Bleacher Report]]'' stated:
{{quote|"His gait, particularly when in possession, was mesmeric. Reasonably unusual in stature for a [[Playmaker|playmaking]] midfielder at a little over six feet tall, Kaká could still turn and accelerate past a defender in the same way the smaller, low-centre-of-gravity No. 10s would manage—but that same elegant, long-legged stride made him unstoppable on the run."<ref name="Matchett"/>}}
Kaká was also renowned for his vision and passing ability, enabling him to [[Assist (football)|create chances]] for teammates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://squawka.com/news/2013/08/30/should-arsenal-man-united-chase-this-south-american-super-star-transfer-scouting-report/2013083019442|title=Why Arsenal & Man United Should Chase This South American Superstar. Transfer Scouting Report.|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref> Having performed predominantly as a playmaking [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] throughout his career, he was known for being capable of scoring goals as well as creating and assisting them.<ref>{{cite web|title=Agroppi: Kakà e Ibra fra i primi dieci stranieri mai venuti in Italia|url=http://club.quotidiano.net/dascoli/agroppi_kaka_e_ibra_fra_i_primi_dieci_stranieri_mai_venuti_in_italia|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> A versatile player, he was also deployed in several other [[Forward (association football)|attacking]] positions throughout his career, performing as a [[Forward (association football)#Winger|winger]] on either flank,<ref name="repubblica.it"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2003/ottobre/22/Rui_Costa_centrale_Kaka_sfruttera_ga_0_031022744.shtml|title=Rui Costa centrale Kakà sfrutterà la fascia sinistra|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian|date=22 October 2003|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|supporting forward]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2004/novembre/12/Modulo_Kaka_seconda_punta_ero_ga_10_0411128746.shtml|title=Modulo Kakà: "La seconda punta ero io"|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian|date=12 November 2004|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> and on occasion as an outright [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]],<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.it/news/milan-ancelotti-kaka-e-un-trequartista/|title=Milan, Ancelotti: "Kakà è un trequartista"|website=sport.it|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213104457/http://www.sport.it/news/milan-ancelotti-kaka-e-un-trequartista/|archivedate=13 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> or even in a deeper role as a [[Midfielder|midfield]] playmaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/esclusiva-tmw-milan-benetti-kaka-regista-scelto-il-danno-minore-502676|title=ESCLUSIVA TMW - Milan, Benetti: "Kakà regista? Scelto il danno minore"|publisher=TuttoMercatoWeb.com|language=Italian|author1=Marco Conterio|date=18 November 2013|accessdate=16 January 2017}}</ref> In addition to these characteristics, Kaká also possessed a powerful and accurate shot from both inside and outside the penalty area, with either foot;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2006/giugno/15/piu_forte_Kaka_co_9_060615043.shtml|title=Io, più forte di Kaká|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=Italian|date=15 June 2006|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> he was also an accurate [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] taker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportlive.it/calcio/calcio-news/fantacalcio-rigoristi-serie-a.html|title=Fantacalcio: i migliori rigoristi e le possibili sorprese|website=sportlive.it|language=Italian|accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2012/04/27/sport/calcio/rigori-sbagliano-anche-i-fenomeni-pUOzwt8rcD23tRss9IIrUK/pagina.html|title=Rigori, sbagliano anche i fenomeni|publisher=La Stampa|language=Italian|date=27 April 2012|accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref>
==Personal life==
[[File:Kaka caroline.jpg|thumb|Kaká with his then wife [[Caroline Celico|Caroline]]]]
Kaká married his childhood sweetheart [[Caroline Celico]] on 23 December 2005 at a Rebirth in Christ church in [[São Paulo]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/4286613/Seven-dead-and-dozens-injured-after-Kakas-church-collapses-during-service.html |title=Seven dead and dozens injured after 'Kaka's church' collapses during service |date=19 January 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |first=Andrew |last=Downie }}</ref> The couple have two children: son Luca Celico Leite (born 10 June 2008) and<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/12/24/d51224041745.htm | title=Kaka ties the knot |date=24 December 2008 | accessdate=25 January 2011 | newspaper=Daily Star }}</ref> daughter Isabella (born 23 April 2011).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/RealKaka/status/12517125235146752 |title=Tweet |quote=It's with great joy, that I confirm that my lovely wife @cacelico is pregnant of our 2nd child !! Now it's a girl !! |publisher=Twitter |date=8 December 2010 |accessdate=9 January 2011 }}</ref> In 2015, Kaká and Celico announced their divorce via social media.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Caroline Celico on Instagram: "Uma das decisões mais difíceis da nossa vida é escolher se queremos andar juntos, ou separados. Decisões que influenciam outros, que…"|url = https://instagram.com/p/50SJ_Oy3yZ/|website = Instagram|accessdate = 3 August 2015}}</ref>
Kaká was sworn in as an Italian citizen on 12 February 2007.<ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/200702/13/eng20070213_349678.html Brazilian Kaká gets Italian citizenship] – People's Daily Online, 13 February 2007</ref> He features prominently in [[Adidas]] advertising and also has a modeling contract with [[Giorgio Armani|Armani]], the latter preventing him from appearing in a photo collection alongside his Milan teammates that was published by [[Dolce & Gabbana]] in early 2007.<ref>[http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-galleries/2013/09/sexiest-hottest-footballers-of-all-time#!image-number=21 "Hottest Footballers of all time. #21. Kaka"]. Glamour Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2014</ref>
Kaká appeared on the cover of the Italian edition of [[EA Sports]]' [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game]] ''[[FIFA 07]]'', alongside compatriot and global coverstar [[Ronaldinho]];<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA 07|url=http://allfifa.weebly.com/fifa-07.html|website=allfifa.weebly.com|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref> he was also featured on the cover of some regional editions of ''[[FIFA 11]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/fifa-11-launches-worldwide-with-ten-different-covers-2094613.html |title='FIFA 11' launches worldwide with ten different covers |newspaper=The Independent |date=1 October 2010 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> ''[[FIFA 12]]'',<ref>{{cite web|author1=Eddie Makuch|title=Rooney, Kaka named FIFA 12 global cover stars|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rooney-kaka-named-fifa-12-global-cover-stars/1100-6326371/|website=gamespot.com|accessdate=25 April 2015|date=1 August 2011}}</ref> and ''[[FIFA 16]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/09/22/ea-sports-fifa-16-finally-stores-find-out-who-made-mls-custom-cover|title=EA Sports FIFA 16 is finally in stores! Find out who made the MLS custom cover|publisher=MLS Soccer|date=22 September 2015|accessdate=23 September 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Ronaldinho, Beckham, Kaka, Ancelotti.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká (second from right) at Milan with [[Ronaldinho]] and [[David Beckham]] to his right. The three players have a large fan base on social media.<ref name="so media"/>]]
Kaká cites [[Raí]], the former Brazilian national team and São Paulo FC captain, as his footballing role model.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaká: A dream come true |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid=663469.html |work=FIFA |date=17 December 2007 |accessdate=25 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kaká leads a Brazilian celebration |first=Rob |last=Hughes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/sports/18iht-SOCCER.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=18 December 2007 |accessdate=25 January 2011 }}</ref> He is best friends with [[Marcelo Saragosa]], who also played professionally. They each served as the [[best man]] at the other's wedding.<ref>{{cite web |title=FC Dallas Updates: AC Milan or Liverpool? |publisher=Blogger |date=22 May 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911084241/http://worldcupway.blogspot.com/2007/05/ac-milan-or-liverpool.html |archivedate=11 September 2007|url=http://worldcupway.blogspot.com/2007/05/ac-milan-or-liverpool.html }}</ref> He is also close friends with Colombia striker [[Radamel Falcao]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Gleeson |first=Patrick |url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/82/south-america/2012/11/12/3523627/kaka-hails-falcao-ahead-of-brazil-colombia-friendly |title=Kaka hails Falcao ahead of Brazil-Colombia friendly |publisher=Goal.com |date=12 November 2012|accessdate=14 November 2012}}</ref>
In April 2012, Kaká became the first sportsperson to amass ten million followers on [[Twitter]],<ref name= "10 Million" /> and by March 2015, Kaká had the fifth-highest social media rank in the world among athletes, behind [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], [[Lionel Messi]], [[David Beckham]] and [[Neymar]], with 33 million [[Facebook]] fans.<ref name="so media">{{cite news|title=Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Shakira as Facebook's most 'liked' person|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cristiano-ronaldo-overtakes-shakira-as-facebook-s-most--liked-person-085815659-soccer.html?pt=1/|publisher=Yahoo.com|date=10 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2994765/Cristiano-Ronaldo-goes-Facebook-charts-Real-Madrid-star-overtakes-Shakira.html|title = Cristiano Ronaldo goes top of the Facebook charts as Real Madrid star overtakes Shakira to become most liked person|date = 15 March 2015|accessdate = 16 March 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Embury-dennis|first = Tom}}</ref>
[[File:Kaka boots.jpg|thumb|right|A pair of Kaká's [[Adidas]] boots, with a declaration of his Christian faith]]
Kaká is a devout [[evangelical]] Christian who was an active member of the São Paulo-based [[Igreja Renascer em Cristo|Rebirth in Christ Church]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/19/world/americas/19brazil.html |title=Brazil's Top TV Preachers Land in Hot Water in Miami |date=19 March 2007 |accessdate=15 September 2009 |work=The New York Times |first=Larry |last=Rohter}}</ref> He became engrossed in religion at the age of 12: "I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not." He removed his jersey to reveal an "I Belong to Jesus" T-shirt and openly engaged in prayer moments after the final whistle of Brazil's 2002 World Cup, and Milan's 2004 ''Scudetto'' and 2007 Champions League triumphs. He also had the same phrase, along with "God Is Faithful," stitched onto the tongues of his boots.<ref name="Mitten">{{cite news |last=Mitten |first=Andy |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/the-golden-boy-of-a-golden-team-481010.html |title=The golden boy of a golden team |accessdate=15 June 2010 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |location=London |date=4 June 2006}}</ref> During the post-match celebration following Brazil's 4–1 win over Argentina in the [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005 Confederations Cup]] final, he and several of his teammates wore T-shirts that read "Jesus Loves You" in various languages. While receiving the FIFA World Footballer of the Year award in 2007, he said when he was young he just wanted to be a professional player for São Paulo and play one game for the Brazil national team, but that "God gave [him] more than he ever asked for."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7121175.stm|work=BBC News |title=Kaka wins Fifa world player crown |date=17 December 2007}}</ref> Though sharing a common goal, Kaká is not currently a formal member of the organization ''Atletas de Cristo'' ("Athletes of Christ").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atletasdecristo.org/eng/kaka.htm |title=Interview |accessdate=26 December 2006 |publisher=Atletas de Cristo |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202175708/http://www.atletasdecristo.org/eng/kaka.htm |archivedate= 2 February 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> In goal celebrations, he usually points to the sky as a gesture of thanks to God. Kaká's favourite music genre is [[gospel music|gospel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rickykaka.com/en/index.php?function=show_all&no=120 |title=Public Chat Session |accessdate=26 December 2006 |publisher=RickyKaka.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927075229/http://www.rickykaka.com/en/index.php?function=show_all&no=120 |archivedate=27 September 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> and his favourite book is the [[Bible]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/05/02/sfnkak02.xml Milan put their faith in Kaka] – The Telegraph, 5 February 2007</ref> In an interview with the Brazilian television [[O Globo]], Kaka manifested the will to become an evangelical pastor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evangelici.net/notizie/1164009608.html|title=Kakà: "Io, futuro pastore evangelico"|language=Italian}}</ref>
Since November 2004, Kaká has served as an Ambassador Against Hunger for the [[United Nations]]' [[World Food Programme]], the youngest to do so at the time of his appointment.<ref name="WFP-30Nov2004" /> In August 2015, Kaká announced he will attend [[Full Sail University]] in [[Winter Park, Florida]], and major in [[Sports marketing|Sports Marketing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themaneland.com/2015/8/5/9102209/kaka-to-miss-clash-with-toronto-fc|title=Kakà to Miss Clash with Toronto FC|author=Sean Rollins|work=The Mane Land}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|matches played on 15 October 2017.}}
{| class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club!!rowspan="2"|Season!!colspan="3"|League!!colspan="2"|Cup!!colspan="2"|Continental<ref group="nb">Includes the [[Copa Mercosul]], [[Copa Sudamericana]], [[UEFA Champions League]] and [[UEFA Cup]]</ref>!!colspan="2"|Other<ref group="nb">Includes [[Campeonato Paulista]], [[Torneio Rio – São Paulo]], [[Supercoppa Italiana]], [[Supercopa de España]], [[UEFA Super Cup]], [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] and [[FIFA Club World Cup]]</ref>!!colspan="2"|Total!!rowspan="2"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!League!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]]||[[2001 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2001]]||rowspan="3"|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Brasileirão]]||27||12||7||1||5||0||16||4||55||17||
|-
|[[2002 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2002]]||22||9||9||6||rowspan="2" colspan="2"|—||17||8||48||23||
|-
|[[2003 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2003]]||10||2||5||0||7||5||22||7||
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!59!!23!!21!!7!!5!!0!!40!!17!!125!!47!!—
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[A.C. Milan|Milan]]||[[2003–04 A.C. Milan season|2003–04]]||rowspan="6"|[[Serie A]]||30||10||4||0||10||4||1||0||45||14||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches">{{cite web|title=Kaká » Club matches|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/kaka/2/|publisher=World Football|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2004–05 A.C. Milan season|2004–05]]||36||7||1||0||13||2||1||0||51||9||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2005–06 A.C. Milan season|2005–06]]||35||14||2||0||12||5||rowspan="2" colspan="2"|—||49||19||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2006–07 A.C. Milan season|2006–07]]||31||8||2||0||15||10||48||18||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2007–08 A.C. Milan season|2007–08]]||30||15||0||0||8||2||3||2||41||19||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2008–09 A.C. Milan season|2008–09]]||31||16||1||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||36||16||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!193!!70!!10!!0!!62!!23!!5!!2!!270!!95!!—
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]||[[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]]||rowspan="4"|[[La Liga]]||25||8||1||0||7||1||rowspan="2" colspan="2"|—||33||9||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]]||14||7||3||0||3||0||20||7||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2010|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]]||27||5||4||0||8||3||1||0||40||8||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2011|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]]||19||3||2||1||6||1||colspan="2"|—||27||5||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2012|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!85!!23!!10!!1!!24!!5!!1!!0!!120!!29!!—
|-
|Milan||[[2013–14 A.C. Milan season|2013–14]]||Serie A||30||7||1||0||6||2||rowspan="5" colspan="2"|—||37||9||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2013|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|São Paulo||[[2014 São Paulo FC season|2014]]||Brasileirão||19||2||0||0||5||1||24||3||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]]||[[2015 Orlando City SC season|2015]]||rowspan="3"|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]||28||9||2||1||rowspan="3" colspan="2"|—||30||10||<ref name="Kaká Soccerway">{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ricardo-izecson-santos-leite/146/|website=Soccerway|publisher=Perform Group|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="Kaka-MLS_Profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kaka|title=Kaká|publisher=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2016 Orlando City SC season|2016]]||24||9||0||0||24||9||<ref name="Kaká Soccerway"/><ref name="Kaka-MLS_Profile"/>
|-
|[[2017 Orlando City SC season|2017]]||23||6||1||0||24||6||<ref name="Kaká Soccerway"/><ref name="Kaka-MLS_Profile"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!75!!24!!3!!1!!colspan="4"|—!!78!!25!!—
|-
!colspan="3"|Career totals!!461!!149!!44!!9!!102!!31!!46!!19!!654!!208!!—
|}
{{reflist|group=nb}}
===International===
====International statistics====
{{updated|match played 29 May 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaka|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/1013/Kaka.html|publisher=National football team|accessdate=8 April 2014}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
! National team !! Year !! Apps !! Goals
|-
| rowspan="15"|[[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]
|-
|2002||5||1
|-
|2003||10||5
|-
|2004||8||3
|-
|2005||13||3
|-
|2006||11||5
|-
|2007||12||5
|-
|2008||3||1
|-
|2009||13||3
|-
|2010||7||1
|-
|2012||3||2
|-
|2013||2||0
|-
|2014||2||0
|-
|2015||2||0
|-
|2016||1||0
|-
! colspan=2|Total!!92||29
|}
====International goals====
<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/kaka-intlg.html "Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite “Kaká” – Goals in International Matches"]. RSSSF. Retrieved 28 June 2014</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="text-align: left;"
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || {{dts|format=dmy|2002|03|07}} || [[Cuiabá]], Brazil || {{fb|ISL}} || 6–1 || Win || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 2. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|07|19}} || Miami, Florida, United States || {{fb|COL}} || 2–0 || Win || [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003 Gold Cup]]
|-
| 3. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|07|19}} || Miami, Florida, United States || {{fb|COL}} || 2–0 || Win || 2003 Gold Cup
|-
| 4. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|07|23}} || Miami, Florida, United States || {{fb|USA}} || 2–1 || Win || 2003 Gold Cup
|-
| 5. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|09|07}} || [[Barranquilla]], Colombia || {{fb|COL}} || 1–2 || Win || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2006 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 6. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|10|11}} || [[Curitiba]], Brazil || {{fb|URU}} || 3–3 || Draw || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 7. || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|04|28}} || [[Budapest]], Hungary || {{fb|HUN}} || 1–4 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 8. || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|10|10}} || [[Maracaibo]], Venezuela || {{fb|VEN}} || 2–5 || Win || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 9. || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|10|10}} || Maracaibo, Venezuela || {{fb|VEN}} || 2–5 || Win || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 10. || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|03|27}} || [[Goiânia]], Brazil || {{fb|PER}} || 1–0 || Win || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 11. || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|06|29}} || [[Frankfurt]], Germany || {{fb|ARG}} || 4–1 || Win || [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
| 12. || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|11|10}} || [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates || {{fb|UAE}} || 0–8 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 13. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|06|04}} || [[Geneva]], Switzerland || {{fb|NZL}} || 4–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 14. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|06|13}} || [[Berlin]], Germany || {{fb|CRO}} || 1–0 || Win || [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| 15. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|09|03}} || London, England || {{fb|ARG}} || 3–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 16. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|10|10}} || [[Stockholm]], Sweden || {{fb|ECU}} || 2–1 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 17. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|11|15}} || [[Basel]], Switzerland || {{fb|SUI}} || 1–2 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 18. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|03|24}} || [[Gothenburg]], Sweden || {{fb|CHI}} || 4–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 19. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|09|12}} || [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], United States || {{fb|MEX}} || 3–1 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 20. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|10|17}} || [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil || {{fb|ECU}} || 5–0 || Win || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2010 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 21. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|10|17}} || Rio de Janeiro, Brazil || {{fb|ECU}} || 5–0 || Win || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 22. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|11|18}} || [[Lima]], Peru || {{fb|PER}} || 1–1 || Draw || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 23. || {{dts|format=dmy|2008|10|11}} || [[San Cristóbal, Táchira|San Cristóbal]], Venezuela || {{fb|VEN}} || 4–0 || Win || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 24. || {{dts|format=dmy|2009|06|06}} || [[Montevideo]], Uruguay || {{fb|URU}} || 4–0 || Win || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 25. || {{dts|format=dmy|2009|06|15}} || [[Bloemfontein]], South Africa || {{fb|EGY}} || 4–3 || Win || [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
|26.
|15 June 2009
|[[Bloemfontein]], South Africa
|{{fb|EGY}}
|4–3
|Win
|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
| 27. || {{dts|format=dmy|2010|06|07}} || [[Dar es Salaam]], Tanzania || {{fb|TAN}} || 1–5 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 28. || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|10|11}} || [[Malmö]], Sweden || {{fb|IRQ}} || 6–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 29. || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|10|16}} || [[Wrocław]], Poland || {{fb|JPN}} || 4–0 || Win || Friendly
|}
==Honours==
===Club===
;Milan<ref name="Profile"/>
*[[Serie A]]: [[2003–04 Serie A|2003–04]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[2004 Supercoppa Italiana|2004]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|2006–07]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2007 UEFA Super Cup|2007]]
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]
;Real Madrid<ref name="Profile"/>
*[[La Liga]]: [[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]]
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[2010–11 Copa del Rey|2010–11]]
===International===
;Brazil<ref name="Profile"/>
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]]
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]: [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005]], [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]]
===Individual===
[[File:Kaka samba d or.jpg|thumb|Kaká holding the 2008 [[Samba d'Or]]|266x266px]]
* [[Bola de Ouro]]: 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/miscellaneous/bouro.htm|title=Bola de Ouro (Placar Magazine)|publisher=RSSSF|author1=Paulo Torres|date=12 December 2015|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Bola de Ouro|Bola de Prata]]: 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/miscellaneous/bprata.htm|title=Bola de Prata (Placar Magazine)|publisher=RSSSF|author1=Paulo Torres|date=12 December 2015|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[CONMEBOL|South American]] Team of the Year: 2002<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html|title=South American Team of the Year|date=16 January 2009|accessdate=10 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Best XI: 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/people/brazil/49/kak%C3%A1/profile|title=Kaká|publisher=Goal.com|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year]]: 2004, 2006, 2007<ref name="Guerin d'Oro">{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |title=Italy – Footballer of the Year |publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=6 February 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121013030/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |archivedate=21 January 2015 |df= }}</ref>
* [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]]: 2004, 2007<ref name="Guerin d'Oro"/>
* [[UEFA Champions League]] top assist provider: [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|2004–05]], [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|2011–12]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2004/statistics/round=1968/players/type=assists/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2004–05)|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/round=2000263/players/type=Assists/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2011–12)|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
* [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Midfielder|UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year]]: 2004–05<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=64775/profile/index.html|title=Kaká – UEFA.com Profile|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Champions League]] Bronze Foot: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/statistics/round=2357/players/type=topscorers/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2005–06)|date = |accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
* [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2006|UEFA Team of the Year]]: 2006, 2007, 2009<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile"/>
* [[FIFPro World XI]]: 2006, 2007, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006|title=FIFPro World XI 2005/2006|publisher=FIFPro|date=20 December 2013|accessdate=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007|title=FIFPro World XI 2006/2007|publisher=FIFPro|date=20 December 2013|accessdate=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2007-2008|title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2007/2008|publisher=FIFPro.org|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Pallone d'Argento]]: 2006–07<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ussi.it/2016/a-florenzi-il-pallone-dargento-coppa-giaime-fiumano/|title=A Florenzi il "Pallone d’Argento" Coppa Giaimè Fiumano|publisher=ussi.it|language=Italian|date=8 May 2016|accessdate=18 May 2016}}</ref>
* [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers#European Cup and UEFA Champions League top goalscorer by seasons|UEFA Champions League top scorer]]: [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/statistics/round=2357/players/type=topscorers/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2006–07)|date = |accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
* [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Forward|UEFA Club Forward of the Year]]: 2006–07<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile"/>
* [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]]: 2006–07<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile"/>
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[2007 Ballon d'Or|2007]]<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]: 2007<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[FIFPro World Player of the Year]]: 2007<ref name=":4" />
* [[World Soccer Awards|World Soccer Player of the Year]]: 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2-338433 |title=World Soccer Awards – previous winners |publisher=World Soccer |author1=Jamie Rainbow |date=14 December 2012 |accessdate=21 November 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629194202/http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2-338433 |archivedate=29 June 2016 |df= }}</ref>
* [[IFFHS World's Best Playmaker]]: 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/former-results/|title=FORMER RESULTS|accessdate=18 October 2015|publisher=IFFHS.de}}</ref>
* [[IAAF|IAAF Latin Sportsman of the Year]]: 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/jefferson-perez-is-voted-best-latin-american|title=JEFFERSON PÉREZ IS VOTED BEST LATIN AMERICAN SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR|accessdate=18 October 2015|publisher=International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)}}</ref>
* [[Onze Mondial|Onze d'Or]]: 2007<ref name="Onze Mondial Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|title="Onze Mondial" Awards: Onze de Onze 1976–2011|publisher=RSSSF|author1=José Luis Pierrend|date=6 March 2012|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]] [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]]: [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]<ref name="Kaká - FIFA Profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=184312/|title=Kaká – FIFA Profile|publisher=FIFA.com|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]] top assist provider: [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]
* [[Time 100]]: 2008, 2009<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" />
* [[Estádio do Maracanã|Maracanã Hall of Fame]]: 2008<ref name=":6" />
* [[Samba d'Or]]: 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psg.fr/en/News/101001/Breaking-News/69470/Three-Parisians-in-top-10|title=Samba d'Or 2014: Three Parisians in top 10|publisher=PSG|date=2 January 2015|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Marca Leyenda|MARCA Legend Award]]: 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/10/19/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1255979045.html|title=Kaká recibe el MARCA Leyenda|trans-title=Kaká receives the MARCA Leyenda|publisher=Marca|language=Spanish|author1=JOSÉ LUIS CALDERÓN|author2=MIGUEL A. GARCÍA|date=19 October 2009|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] [[FIFA Confederations Cup 2009#Awards|Golden Ball]]: [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]]<ref name="Kaká - FIFA Profile"/>
* [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] [[FIFA Confederations Cup 2009#Awards|Best XI]]: [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/confederationscup/southafrica2009/news/newsid=1077991.html|title=Users pick Top 11|work=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=30 June 2009|accessdate=30 June 2013}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup]] top assist provider: [[2010 FIFA World Cup statistics#Assists|2010]]<ref>[[2010 FIFA World Cup statistics]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/2010/wc10statistics.html|title=Statistics|publisher=Planet World Cup|accessdate=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/groups_and_teams/team/brazil/kaka|title=Kaka 2010 FIFA World Cup BBC Profile|publisher=BBC|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: 2010<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame" />
* [[Major League Soccer All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[2015 MLS All-Star Game|2015]], [[2016 MLS All-Star Game|2016]], [[2017 MLS All-Star Game|2017]]<ref name="AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/18/sebastian-giovinco-kei-kamara-among-22-players-named-2015-att-mls-all-star-g|title=Sebastian Giovinco, Kei Kamara among 22 players named to 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=20 July 2015|accessdate=26 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/bradley-giovinco-represent-tfc-mls-star-game/|title=Bradley, Giovinco to represent TFC at MLS All-Star game - Sportsnet.ca|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=2017-07-21|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star Game MVP]]: [[2015 MLS All-Star Game#|2015]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/30/all-star-entire-post-game-celebration-turned-love-fest-mvp-kaka|title=All-Star: The post-game celebration turned into a love fest for 2015 MVP Kaká|work=MLSsoccer.com|author=Arielle Castillo|date=30 July 2015|accessdate=26 October 2015}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Team of the Year#UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year|UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year]]: 2015 (substitute)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2201679.html|title=Ultimate Team of the Year: The All-Time XI|publisher=UEFA|date=22 November 2015|accessdate=25 November 2015}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120430214117/http://www.lfp.es/Temporada/FichaJugador.aspx?cj=8110 Kaká at La Liga]
* [https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=184312/index.html 2010 FIFA World Cup profile]
* {{NFT player|1013}}
* {{FIFA player|184312}}
* {{BDFutbol|12427}}
* [http://www.football-lineups.com/players/player.php?route=23 Tactical Profile] – Football-Lineups.com
* [http://www.legaseriea.it/en/players/kaka-/0KAKA Profile at LegaSerieA.it]
* [https://www.tuttocalciatori.net/Kaka_Ricardo_Izecson Profile at TuttoCalciatori.net] {{it}}
* {{Soccerway|ricardo-izecson-santos-leite/146}}
* {{MLS player|kaka}}
{{Navboxes colour
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|bordercolor = black
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{2002 Bola de Prata}}
{{2006 UEFA Team of the Year}}
{{2007 UEFA Team of the Year}}
{{2009 UEFA Team of the Year}}
{{Bola de Ouro}}
{{Ballon d'Or recipients}}
{{Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year}}
{{Serie A Footballer of the Year}}
{{FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}}
{{FIFA World Player of the Year winners}}
{{World Soccer Footballer of the Year}}
{{FIFPro awards}}
{{UEFA Club Footballer of the Year}}
{{UEFA Club Football Awards}}
{{UEFA Champions League top scorers}}
{{IFFHS World's Best Playmaker}}
{{FIFA Confederations Cup awards}}
{{Samba Gold}}
{{MLS All-Star Game MVP}}
}}
{{Navboxes colour
|bg= #FBEC5D
|fg= #008000
|title= Brazil squads
|list1=
{{Brazil squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaka}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Brazilian emigrants to Italy]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Italy]]
[[Category:Brazilian footballers]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Campeonato Brasileiro Série A players]]
[[Category:São Paulo FC players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:A.C. Milan players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Real Madrid C.F. players]]
[[Category:Orlando City SC players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:Designated Players (MLS)]]
[[Category:Brazil youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Brazil under-20 international footballers]]
[[Category:Brazil international footballers]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2005 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2009 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:FIFA Confederations Cup-winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup-winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA World Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:World Soccer Magazine World Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Ballon d'Or winners]]
[[Category:Brazilian evangelicals]]
[[Category:Brazilian expatriate footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:People from Federal District (Brazil)]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of supra-national bodies]]
[[Category:Full Sail University alumni]]
[[Category:World Food Programme people]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League winning players]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{About|the Brazilian footballer born in 1982|the Brazilian footballer born in 1981|Kaká (footballer, born 1981)|other uses|Kaka (disambiguation){{!}}Kaka}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{Portuguese name|Santos|Leite}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kaká
| image = Kaká Postgame In Houston, March 2015 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Kaká in 2015
| fullname = Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite
| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/players/1/kak%C3%A1|title=Kaká: Player Profile|date=2 February 2015|publisher=Orlando City SC}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|4|22}}<ref name="Biografia_de_Kaká">{{cite web |url=http://www.quadrodemedalhas.com/futebol/copa-do-mundo/copa-mundo-2010-jogador-brasil-kaka.htm |title=Biografia de Kaká|date=December 2010 |publisher=Quadro de Medalhas |accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Gama, Federal District]], Brazil
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| position = [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|Attacking midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 1994–2000 | youthclubs1 = [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]]
| years1 = 2001–2003 | clubs1 = [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] | caps1 = 59 | goals1 = 23
| years2 = 2003–2009 | clubs2 = [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] | caps2 = 193 | goals2 = 70
| years3 = 2009–2013 | clubs3 = [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] | caps3 = 85 | goals3 = 23
| years4 = 2013–2014 | clubs4 = [[A.C. Milan|Milan]] | caps4 = 30 | goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2014–2017 | clubs5 = [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]] | caps5 = 75 | goals5 = 24
| years6 = 2014 | clubs6 = → [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] (loan) | caps6 = 19 | goals6 = 2
| totalcaps = 461 | totalgoals = 149
| nationalyears1 = 2001 | nationalteam1 = [[Brazil national under-20 football team|Brazil U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2002–2016 | nationalteam2 = [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]
| nationalcaps2 = 92 | nationalgoals2 = 29
| club-update =
| nationalteam-update =
| medaltemplates =
{{medalCountry|[[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]}}
{{medalGold|[[2002 FIFA World Cup]]|[[2002 FIFA World Cup|Korea & Japan]]}}
{{medalGold|[[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]]|[[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|Germany]]|}}
{{medalGold|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|South Africa]]|}}
}}
'''Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite''' ({{IPA-pt|ʁiˈkaɾdu iˈzɛksõw duˈsɐ̃tus ˈlejt͡ʃi}}; born 22 April 1982), commonly known as '''Kaká''' ({{IPA-pt|kaˈka|lang|Kaká pronunciation.ogg}}) or '''Ricardo Kaká''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Kaka |title=Ricardo Kakà – Atleet |publisher=Facebook |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/kaka |title=Instagram |publisher=Instagram |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/ricardokakaoficial |title=Ricardo Kaká |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1v1X7M_1Us |title=Rooney and Kaka both confident ahead of second leg |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref> is a Brazilian-Italian retired professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as an [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]].
Kaká made his professional club debut at age 18 at [[São Paulo FC]] in Brazil in 2001. After being named to the [[Bola de Ouro]] as the best player in the [[2002 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2002 Campeonato Brasileiro]], in 2003 he joined Italian club [[A.C. Milan]] for a fee of €8.5 million. At Milan, the club where he spent his prime years, Kaká won a [[Serie A]] title and was named the [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]] twice. In 2005, Milan finished runners up in the [[2005 UEFA Champions League Final]] to [[Liverpool F.C.]], with Kaká, the top assist provider of the tournament, named the [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Midfielder|UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year]]. Two years later he led Milan to win the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final]] and was the tournament's top goal scorer. Kaká's pace, creative passing, goal scoring and [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbles]] from midfield saw him win the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]], the [[Ballon d'Or]], the [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]] and the [[IFFHS World's Best Playmaker]] awards.
After his success with Milan, Kaká joined [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] for a transfer fee of €67 million.<ref name=Milan2009bilancio/> At the time, this was the second [[List of most expensive association football transfers|highest transfer]] fee (in [[euros]]) ever, behind only the €77.5 million (150 billion lire) fee for [[Zinedine Zidane]]. However, in the same transfer window Real Madrid broke the world record by signing [[Cristiano Ronaldo]]. After four injury ravaged seasons in Spain, which saw his physical ability to dribble from midfield rapidly decline, he returned to Milan for a season in 2013, scoring his 100th goal for the club. At the end of the 2013–14 season, he joined [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] expansion club [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]], but initially returned to his former Brazilian club São Paulo FC on loan. In 2015, he scored on his MLS debut for Orlando City; he was later included in the roster for the [[2015 MLS All-Star Game]], where he was named Most Valuable Player.
Kaká made his debut for the Brazil national team in 2002, and was selected for their victorious [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] squad that year, as well as the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]] tournaments, leading the tournament in assists in the latter. He was also a member of Brazil's [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005]] and [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]] [[FIFA Confederations Cup]]-winning squads, winning the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup#Awards|Golden Ball Award]] in the 2009 edition, as the tournament's best player. With success at club and international level, Kaká is one of eight players to have won the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA Champions League]] and the [[Ballon d'Or]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka: Former Brazil, AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder announces retirement|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42386038|agency=BBC|date=17 December 2017}}</ref>
Owing to his performances at A.C. Milan where he was an elite [[playmaker]], Kaká is widely considered one of the best players of his generation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/andriy-shevchenkos-perfect-xi-creative-maestro-kaka-and-exceptionally-dangerous-john-terry |title=Andriy Shevchenko's Perfect XI: 'Creative maestro' Kaka and 'exceptionally dangerous' John Terry |publisher= Fourfourtwo.com |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/photos/gallery/_/id/9358083/image/1/kaka-best-brazillian-players-all |title=Best Brazilian Players of All Time - Kaká |publisher=ESPN.com |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2916940/Lionel-Messi-Xavi-Kaka-Paul-Scholes-legends-Andrea-Pirlo-s-Champions-League-dream-team.html |title=Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kaka and Paul Scholes among legends in Andrea Pirlo's Champions League dream team |publisher=DailyMail.co.uk |date=20 January 2015 |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/439615/pele-kaka-is-best-and-better-than-ronaldo |title=Pele: Kaka is best and better than Ronaldo |publisher=ESPNFC.com |date=18 June 2007 |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref> In addition to his individual awards he was named in both the [[FIFPro World XI]] and the [[UEFA Team of the Year]] three times. In 2010, he was named in the A.C. Milan Hall of Fame.<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame">{{cite web|url = https://www.acmilan.com/en/kaka|title = A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Kakà)|website=acmilan.com|publisher = A.C. Milan|accessdate = 3 April 2015}}</ref> One of the world's most famous athletes, Kaká was the first sportsperson to amass 10 million followers on [[Twitter]].<ref name= "10 Million">{{cite news|url=http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7853871/10-million-eye-tweets-real-madrid-kaka|title=Kaka tops 10M Twitter followers|date=26 April 2012|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/worldfame100/espn-world-fame-100-top-ranking-athletes |title=World Fame 100 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref> Off the field Kaká is known for his humanitarian work. In 2004 he became the youngest ambassador of the UN [[World Food Programme]].<ref name="WFP-30Nov2004">{{cite press release |title=Soccer star Kaká puts the floodlights on global hunger |url=http://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/soccer-star-kak%C3%A1-puts-floodlights-global-hunger |publisher=[[World Food Programme]] |date=30 November 2004 |accessdate=15 June 2010}}</ref> For his contributions on and off the pitch, Kaká was named in the [[TIME 100|''Time'' 100]] list of the world's most influential people in 2008 and 2009.<ref name="Profile">[http://www.goal.com/en/people/brazil/49/kaká/profile "Kaka profile"]. Goal.com. Retrieved 28 June 2014</ref>
==Early life==
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite was born in [[Gama, Federal District|Gama]], Brazil, to Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite (a [[civil engineer]]) and Simone dos Santos (an elementary school [[teacher]]).<ref>{{pt icon}} Istoé Gente, [http://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/168/reportagens/capa_kaka_01.htm Kaká vira fera], 21 October 2002.</ref> He had a financially secure upbringing that allowed him to focus on both school and football at the same time.<ref name="SOCCER-FANS-INFO">{{cite web |url=http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/kaka-biography.html |title=Soccer-Fans-Info |publisher=Soccer-Fans-Info |date=22 April 1982 |accessdate=12 December 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016180954/http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/kaka-biography.html |archivedate=16 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> His younger brother Rodrigo (best known as [[Digão (footballer, born 1985)|Digão]]) and cousin [[Eduardo Delani]] are also professional footballers. Digão called him "Caca" due to his inability to pronounce "Ricardo" when they were young; it eventually evolved into ''Kaká.''<ref name="Mitten" /> The word has no specific [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] translation.<ref name="nickname">{{cite news |title= Kaka: 10 Facts You Should Know|first=Ivan |last=Soldo |newspaper=[[Bleacher Report]] |date=6 August 2010 |url= http://bleacherreport.com/articles/431076-10-facts-you-should-know-about-kaka/page/4 |accessdate=30 July 2015 }}</ref>
When he was seven, Kaká's family moved to [[São Paulo]].<ref name="FIFA">[https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid=648483.html FIFA Classic Football] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607194922/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid%3D648483.html |date= 7 June 2008 }}</ref> His school had arranged him in a local youth club called ''"Alphaville,"'' who qualified to the final in a local tournament.<ref name="kakamania">{{cite web|url=http://kakamania.br.tripod.com/Kaka/id7.html |title=Kaka Biography (Portuguese) |publisher=Kakamania.br.tripod.com |accessdate=12 December 2010}}</ref> There he was discovered by hometown club [[São Paulo FC]], who offered him a place in the youth academy.<ref name=fantastico>{{cite web |url=http://www.fantasticokaka.it/biografia.html |title=Biography – fantasticoakaka.it (Italian) |publisher=Fantasticokaka.it |accessdate=12 December 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722033040/http://www.fantasticokaka.it/biografia.html |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> At the age of 18, Kaká suffered a career-threatening and possibly paralysis-inducing spinal fracture as a result of a swimming pool accident,<ref name="v-brazil.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.v-brazil.com/culture/sports/football/player/kaka.html |title=v-brazil.com |publisher=v-brazil.com |accessdate=12 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="IHT-2004">{{cite news |title=Soccer: Kaka able to see beyond dollar signs |first=Rob |last=Hughes |newspaper=[[International Herald Tribune]] |date=1 December 2004 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/01/sports/01iht-soccer_ed3_.html |accessdate=15 June 2010 }}</ref> but made a full recovery. He attributes his recovery to God and has since [[tithe]]d his income to his church.<ref name="IHT-2004" />
==Club career==
===São Paulo===
Kaká began his career with São Paulo at the age of eight. He signed a contract at 15 and led the São Paulo youth squad to ''Copa de Juvenil'' glory. He made his senior side debut on 1 February 2001 and scored 12 goals in 27 appearances, in addition to leading São Paulo to its first and only [[Torneio Rio-São Paulo]] championship, in which he scored two goals in two minutes as a substitute against [[Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas|Botafogo]] in the final, which São Paulo won 2–1.<ref>[http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/tablesr/rjsp2001.htm “Torneio Rio-São Paulo 2001“]. Rsssf. Retrieved 22 March 2018</ref>
He scored ten goals in 22 matches the following season, and by this time his performance was soon attracting attention from European clubs.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11891/2256638/sao-paulo-to-sell-kaka|title = Sao Paulo to sell Kaka|accessdate = 19 February 2015|website = Sky Sports|publisher = |last = Vicente|first = Emerson}}</ref> Kaká made a total of 58 appearances for São Paulo, scoring 23 times.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/soccerprofiles/p/kaka.htm| title=Kaká – Career History and Profile| date=19 January 2009| publisher=[[About.com]]| deadurl=yes| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224003408/http://worldsoccer.about.com/od/soccerprofiles/p/kaka.htm| archivedate=24 February 2009| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
===Milan===
[[File:Kaka in Moscow 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Kaká playing in Moscow with A.C. Milan]]
The steady European interest in Kaká culminated in his signing with the [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|European champions]], Italian club [[A.C. Milan]], in 2003 for a fee of reported €8.5 million, described in retrospect as "peanuts" by club owner [[Silvio Berlusconi]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/kaka-heaven-sent-with-the-tshirt-to-prove-it/2009/01/15/1231608888625.html|title=Heaven sent, with the T-shirt to prove it| date=16 January 2009 | publisher=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|last = Brown|first = Oliver|access-date = 14 March 2015}}</ref> Within a month, he cracked the starting lineup, replacing [[Rui Costa]] in the attacking midfield playmaking position, behind strikers [[Jon Dahl Tomasson]], [[Filippo Inzaghi]] and [[Andriy Shevchenko]]. His [[Serie A]] debut was in a 2–0 win over [[A.C. Ancona|Ancona]]. He scored ten goals in 30 appearances that season, also providing several important assists, such as the cross which led to Shevchenko's title-deciding headed goal, as Milan won the ''[[Scudetto]]'' and the [[UEFA Super Cup]], whilst finishing as runner up in the [[2003 Intercontinental Cup|Intercontinental Cup]] and the [[2003 Supercoppa Italiana]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Roma vs. Milan: 0–1|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2004/d/sezioni/sport/calcio/serie_a/giornata32/milanroma/milanroma.html|accessdate=3 September 2013}}</ref> Milan also reached the semi-finals of the [[2003–04 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]], losing out to eventual winners [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]], and were knocked out of the quarter-finals of the [[2003–04 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] by [[Deportivo de La Coruña]]. Due to his performances in his debut season, in 2004, Kaká was named [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]], and was nominated for both the [[2004 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] (finishing in 15th place) and the [[2004 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] Awards (finishing in ninth place).
Kaká was a part of the five-man midfield in the [[2004–05 A.C. Milan season|2004–05 season]], usually playing in a withdrawn role behind striker Andriy Shevchenko. He was supported by [[Gennaro Gattuso]] and [[Clarence Seedorf]] defensively, as well as [[Massimo Ambrosini]], allowing Kaká as the [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] and Rui Costa or [[Andrea Pirlo]] as the deep-lying [[playmaker]] to be in charge of creating Milan's goalscoring chances, forming a formidable midfield unit in both Italy and Europe. Milan began the season by winning the [[Supercoppa Italiana]] against Lazio. He scored seven goals in 36 domestic appearances as Milan finished [[2004–05 Serie A|runner-up]] in the ''Scudetto'' race. Milan also reached the quarter-finals of the [[2004–05 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]] that season. Kaká played a pivotal role in Milan's [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|Champions League campaign]] that season, helping them to reach the [[Champions League Final 2005|final]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], scoring two goals and providing five assists. Dubbed the "Miracle of Istanbul," Milan led 3–0 at half time, before Liverpool staged a comeback, scoring three goals in six minutes, and eventually won the match 3–2 on penalties.<ref name="Istanbul">[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=games/decade/2005liverpoolmilan "Games of the decade: 2005 UEFA Champions League Final: The Miracle of Istanbul"]. ESPN. Retrieved 15 April 2012</ref> A match widely regarded as one of the greatest finals in the competition's history, Kaká was imperious in the first half; he first won the early free-kick which led to [[Paolo Maldini]]'s opening goal, later beginning the play that led to [[Hernán Crespo]]'s first goal and Milan's second of the night, before executing a long [[Curl (football)|curling]] pass that split open the Liverpool defence and rolled perfectly into the path of Crespo to score Milan's third.<ref name="Istanbul"/><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/60913/report|title = Reds take European crown|date = 25 May 2005|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = Sky Sports|publisher = |last = Bailey|first = Graeme}}</ref><ref>McCarra, Kevin (26 May 2005) [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/may/26/match.acmilan "Grit, spirit and the ultimate glory"]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 8 July 2011</ref> Kaká was once again nominated for the [[2005 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and [[2005 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] Awards, finishing ninth and eighth respectively, and he was named the [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Midfielder|2005 UEFA Club Football Best Midfielder]].
[[File:Kaka and Lula.JPG|thumb|upright|Kaká presenting a Milan jersey to then-Brazilian President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] in 2007]]
The [[2005–06 Serie A|2005–06 season]] saw Kaká score his first hat-tricks in domestic competitions. On 9 April 2006, he scored his first ''Rossoneri'' hat-trick against [[A.C. Chievo Verona|Chievo]], with all three goals scored in the second half.<ref>{{cite web|title=ON THIS DAY: KAKA' FIRST HAT-TRICK|url=http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/76520|publisher=A.C. Milan|accessdate=13 May 2015|date=9 April 2015}}</ref> Milan were knocked out in the semi-finals of the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06 Champions League]] to eventual champions [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], and were once again eliminated in the quarter-finals of the [[2005–06 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]]. Milan also finished once again as runners-up in Serie A, with Kaká scoring 17 goals in the league. After the [[2006 Calciopoli|2006 Calciopoli scandal]], however, Milan were deducted 30 points, which placed them in third in the table. Kaká was nominated for the [[2006 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] and the [[2006 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] Awards for the third consecutive year, finishing 11th and seventh respectively. He was also selected to be part of both the [[UEFA Team of the Year]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2006.html|title=Team of the Year 2006|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> and the [[FIFPro]] [[FIFA FIFPro World XI|World XI]] for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006 |title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2005/2006 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701201417/http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006 |archivedate=2014-07-01 |df= }}</ref>
Andriy Shevchenko's departure to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] for the [[2006–07 A.C. Milan season|2006–07 season]] allowed Kaká to become the focal point of Milan's offense as he alternated between the midfield and forward positions, operating at times as a striker or as a second striker behind Filippo Inzaghi, as well as in his more typical attacking midfield position. On 2 November 2006, he scored his first [[List of UEFA Champions League hat-tricks|Champions League hat-trick]] in a 4–1 group stage win over the Belgian side [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Kaká orchestrates Milan triumph|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/matches/round=2357/match=1116377/postmatch/report/index.html|accessdate = 13 May 2015|date = 2 November 2006|first = Richard|website = UEFA.COM|last = Aikman}}</ref> He finished as the top scorer in the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07 Champions League]] campaign with ten goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2008/12/sport/calcio/serie-a/milan/medico-real-kaka/medico-real-kaka.html?ref=search&refresh_ce|title=Kakà è del Real Madrid Ha firmato per sei anni|trans-title=Kakà belongs to Real Madrid He has signed a six-year contract|publisher=La Repubblica|language=Italian|date=7 June 2009|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> One of the goals helped the ''Rossoneri'' eliminate [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in the round of 16, 1–0 on aggregate,<ref>{{cite web|last=Aikman|first=Richard|title=Celtic foiled by Kaká magic|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/matches/round=2358/match=85505/postmatch/report/index.html|publisher=UEFA.com|date=8 March 2007|accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref> and he scored three goals against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6582631.stm |title=BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | Man Utd 3–2 AC Milan |publisher=BBC News |date=24 April 2007 |accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cheese |first=Caroline |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6603095.stm |title=BBC SPORT | Football | Europe | AC Milan 3–0 Man Utd (Agg: 5–3) |publisher=BBC News |date=2 May 2007 |accessdate=8 October 2013}}</ref> Milan also reached the semi-finals of the [[2006–07 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]] that season, losing out to winners [[A.S. Roma|Roma]], and finished fourth in [[2006–07 Serie A|Serie A]].
[[File:AC Milan team celebrate.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká celebrating the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|2007 UEFA Champions League]] triumph with his Milan teammates. A number of individual accolades followed for Kaká]]
Kaká won the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League title]] when Milan defeated Liverpool 2–1 on 23 May 2007, avenging the previous loss on penalties two years before. Though he went scoreless, he won a free kick that led to the first of Filippo Inzaghi's two goals, and provided the assist for the second.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/overview/index.html|title=2006/07: Milan avenge Liverpool defeat|publisher=UEFA.com|date=23 May 2007|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> For his stellar play throughout the competition, he was voted the [[Vodafone]] Fans' Player of the Season in a poll of over 100,000 ''UEFA.com'' visitors. On 30 August, Kaká was named by UEFA as both the top forward of the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07 Champions League]] season and [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]], as well as being named as part of the [[UEFA Team of the Year]] for the second time.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/08/30/uk-soccer-champions-awards-idUKL3086976420070830|title = Kaka named UEFA's European club player of the year|date = 30 August 2007|accessdate = 19 March 2015|website = Reuters (UK)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2007.html|title=Team of the Year 2007|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> He once again finished as the second-best assist-provider of the Champions League, providing five, and was voted the 2007 [[IFFHS]] [[IFFHS World's Best Playmaker|World's Best Playmaker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/?a433ccd423dce837ccad5e99a54505fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb8a3a11|title=2007 IFFHS World's Best Playmaker|publisher=IFFHS|accessdate=31 August 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Kaka of AC Milan, April 19, 2009.jpg|175px|thumb|right|left|Kaká in action with Milan against [[Torino F.C.|Torino]] on 19 April 2009]]
Milan began its [[2007–08 A.C. Milan season|2007–08 season]] by winning the [[2007 UEFA Super Cup|UEFA Super Cup]] on 31 August, defeating [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] 3–1, with Kaká scoring the third goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/history/season=2007/|title=2007: Milan overcome sombre Sevilla|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref> Kaká had made a dribbling run into Sevilla's area, winning a penalty, which he then proceeded to take. Although it was saved by goalkeeper [[Andrés Palop]], Kaká scored on the rebound with a header. Kaká had previously hit the post in the first half.<ref>{{cite web|title=Supercoppa Europea 2007: Milan-Siviglia: 3–1|url=http://www.aimc.eu/clubs/pagineclubs.asp?schema=club&clubs=718&pagina=1085&|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130904054905/http://www.aimc.eu/clubs/pagineclubs.asp?schema=club&clubs=718&pagina=1085&|dead-url=yes|archive-date=4 September 2013|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref> He played his 200th career match with Milan in a 1–1 home draw with [[Calcio Catania|Catania]] on 30 September, scoring from a penalty,<ref>{{cite web|title=Serie A: le pagelle di Milan-Catania|trans-title=Serie A: player ratings for Milan-Catania|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/468345/serie-a-le-pagelle-di-milan-catania|publisher=ESPN FC|accessdate=13 May 2015|language=Italian|date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and on 5 October, he was named the 2006–07 [[FIFPro]] World Player of the Year, and was elected as part of the [[FIFPro#FIFA FIFPro World XI|FIFPro World XI]] for the second time in his career.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/story/469956|title = Kaka named FIFPro world player of the year|date = 5 October 2007|accessdate = 19 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007 |title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2006/2007 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302065115/http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007 |archivedate=2014-03-02 |df= }}</ref> On 2 December 2007, Kaká became the eighth Milan player to win the Ballon d'Or, as he finished with a decisive 444 votes, well ahead of runner-up [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://soccerlens.com/ballon-dor-2007-winner-kaka/4403/|title = Ballon D’Or 2007 Winner: Kaka|date = 2 December 2007|accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = Soccer Lens|publisher = |last = Bilal|first = Ahmed}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec2g.html |title=Ballon d'Or: Kaka crowned |accessdate=2 December 2007 |publisher=Football Italia |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204025229/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec2g.html |archivedate= 4 December 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> He signed a contract extension through 2013 with Milan on 29 February 2008.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3216237,00.html|last=Burton |first=Chris |title=Kaka will not leave Milan |publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=29 February 2008 |accessdate=1 March 2008 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref>
On 16 December, Kaká won the [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup Final|FIFA Club World Cup]] against [[Boca Juniors]], scoring Milan's third goal of the match in a 4–2 victory which allowed them to be crowned World Champions. Kaká had previously assisted Filippo Inzaghi's opening goal of the match and also assisted Inzaghi's final goal of the match after an impressive exchange with Clarence Seedorf; he was awarded the [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]] as the best player of the competition.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Mondiale per Club: Milan vs. Boca Juniors: 4–2|url=http://www.calcioalpallone.com/mondiale-club/mondiale-per-club-2007-il-milan-vince-la-finale-con-il-boca-juniors-ed-e-campione-del-mondo/|accessdate=4 September 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522014306/http://www.calcioalpallone.com/mondiale-club/mondiale-per-club-2007-il-milan-vince-la-finale-con-il-boca-juniors-ed-e-campione-del-mondo/|archivedate=22 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 17 December, Kaká was voted the [[2007 FIFA World Player of the Year]] with 1,047 votes, ahead of [[Lionel Messi]] with 504 and Cristiano Ronaldo with 426.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/12/17/uk-soccer-fifa-world-player-idUKL1765574220071217|title = Kaka named World Player of Year|date = 17 December 2007|accessdate = 19 March 2015|website = Reuters (UK)|publisher = |last = Ledsom|first = Mark}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/18/newsstory.europeanfootball|title = Kaka pips Messi and Ronaldo to clinch world player prize|date = 18 December 2007|accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = Christenson|first = Marcus}}</ref>
{{quote box|width=29%|align=left|quote="He's the complete player."|source = —[[Pelé]] on Kaká after he was named the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/12/17/uk-soccer-fifa-world-player-idUKL1765574220071217 "Kaka named World Player of the Year"]. Reuters. Retrieved 7 June 2014</ref>}}
In January 2008, Kaká was also named the 2007 [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]], winning the award for the second time in his career. Due to his contributions on and off the pitch, ''[[Time magazine|Time]]'' magazine named Kaká in the [[Time 100]], a list of the world's 100 most influential people, on 2 May.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |url = http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1733748_1733756_1735884,00.html|title = Kaká – The 2008 Time 100|work = TIME|date = 12 May 2008|accessdate = 21 May 2015|first = Kasey|last = Keller}}</ref> On 14 October, he cast his footprints into the [[Estádio do Maracanã]]'s sidewalk of fame, in a section dedicated to the memory of the country's top players.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|url=http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=73994|title=Kaká – Maracanã Hall of Fame|work=A.C. Milan|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028055355/http://www.acmilan.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=73994|archivedate=28 October 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He won the Time 100 honour again in 2009.<ref name=":7">{{cite news|url = http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1883644_1886141,00.html|title = Kaká – The 2009 Time 100|date = 24 July 2009|work = TIME|access-date = 21 May 2015}}</ref> Kaká finished the [[2007–08 Serie A|2007–08 season]] with 15 goals in Serie A and was nominated as a finalist for the [[2008 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]], finishing in fourth place, and was nominated for the [[2008 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]], finishing in eighth place. He was named in the six-man shortlist for the 2008 [[Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year|Laureus World Sportsman of the Year]], and was selected in the [[FIFPro World XI]] for the third time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/fifpro_world/award_history/2008|title=FIFPro World XI 2008}}</ref>
{{Quote box||width=29%|align = right|quote = "I remember how badly we took it as a team when Kaká left Milan. For two or three years he was the best player in the world. There was a point when teams just had no idea how to stop him."|source =— Milan teammate and Italian playmaker [[Andrea Pirlo]] on Kaká leaving the club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kaka and Xavi among legends in Andrea Pirlo's Champions League dream team|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2916940/Lionel-Messi-Xavi-Kaka-Paul-Scholes-legends-Andrea-Pirlo-s-Champions-League-dream-team.html|issue=20 January 2015|publisher=Daily Mail|last = Shergold |first = Adam |accessdate=7 March 2015}}</ref>}}
[[BBC]] reported on 13 January 2009 that [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] made a bid for Kaká for over £100 million. Milan Director Umberto Gandini replied that Milan would only discuss the matter if Kaká and Manchester City agreed to personal terms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aHW0EfCtD08I|title=AC Milan's Gandini Says Kaka Will Talk With Manchester City |date=16 January 2009|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]|first=Tariq|last=Panja|author2=Alessandro Poggi}}</ref> Kaká initially responded by telling reporters he wanted to "grow old" at Milan and dreamed of captaining the club one day, but later said, "If Milan want to sell me, I'll sit down and talk. I can say that as long as the club don't want to sell me, I'll definitely stay."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article5527883.ece|title= Kaka and Manchester City: three days that shook the football world|date=16 January 2009|work=The Times |location=UK |first=Gabriele|last=Marcotti|authorlink = Gabriele Marcotti }}</ref> On 19 January, [[Silvio Berlusconi]] announced that Manchester City had officially ended their bid after a discussion between the clubs, and that Kaká would remain with Milan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/football/01/19/england.manchester/ |title=Kaka deal dead but Bellamy signs for £12M |publisher=CNN |date=19 January 2009 | accessdate=7 May 2010}}</ref> Milan supporters had protested outside the club headquarters earlier that evening, and later chanted outside Kaká's home, where he saluted them by flashing his jersey outside a window.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jV0MVJBywDb6-1DDf1iePoDFRQVA |title=Kaka salutes fans pleading with him to stay |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=19 January 2009 |accessdate=20 January 2009 }}</ref> Kaká finished his final season with Milan by scoring 16 goals, helping Milan finish third in [[2008–09 Serie A|Serie A]], and once again being elected as a finalist for the [[2009 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year Award]], finishing fourth in voting for the second-straight year. He was also nominated for the [[2009 Ballon d'Or|Ballon d'Or]] award, finishing in sixth place, and was named in the [[UEFA Team of the Year]] for the third time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/community/news/newsid=1584345.html|title=UEFA Team of the Year 2009|publisher=UEFA.com|date=18 January 2011|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref>
===Real Madrid===
[[File:Presentación de Kaká en el Real Madrid.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká during his presentation with Real Madrid in June 2009]]
On 3 June 2009, It was reported that newly elected [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] president [[Florentino Pérez]] had offered to buy Kaká from Milan for a reported €67 million,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun03a.html |title=KAKÁ FOR SALE |date=3 June 2009 |work=Football Italia|publisher=Channel 4 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611145541/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun03a.html |archivedate=11 June 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it//2009/giugno/03/KAKA_MILAN_REAL_TUTTO_PRONTO_ga_10_090603006.shtml|title=KAKA' MILAN REAL TUTTO PRONTO|date=3 June 2009|access-date=14 August 2017|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian}}</ref> two days after the player had left for international duty with Brazil.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun01a.html |title=Kaka will leave |date=1 June 2009 |work=Football Italia|publisher=Channel 4 |deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611150620/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun01a.html|archivedate=11 June 2009}}</ref> Milan vice-chairman and CEO [[Adriano Galliani]] confirmed that he and Kaká's father, Bosco Leite, had traveled to Mexico to meet with ''La Volpe'': "We had lunch and spoke about Kaká. I don't deny it. Negotiations exist, but a deal has yet to be done."<ref name="Galliani: We have to sell Kaká">{{cite news|url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun04a.html |title=Galliani: We have to sell Kaká |date=3 June 2009 |work=Football Italia |publisher=Channel 4|deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918222847/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun04a.html |archivedate=18 September 2009 }}</ref> On 4 June, Galliani told ''[[Gazzetta dello Sport]]'' that financial reasons were his motive for the talks with ''La Volpe'': "We cannot allow [Milan] to lose €70 million ... The reasons behind Kaká's departure would be economic."<ref name="Galliani: We have to sell Kaká"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it//2009/giugno/04/PERCHE_DOBBIAMO_VENDERE_KAKA__ga_10_090604053.shtml|title=PERCHE' DOBBIAMO VENDERE KAKA'|date=4 June 2009|access-date=14 August 2017|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian}}</ref> On 8 June, Milan and Real Madrid confirmed Kaká’s move to the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]] on a six-year deal<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka completes Real Madrid switch|url=http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|publisher=ESPN|date=9 June 2009|accessdate=25 January 2011|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721090409/http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|archivedate=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8082147.stm|title=Kaka completes Real Madrid switch|date=9 June 2009|publisher=BBC}}</ref> for €67 million fee.<ref name=Milan2009bilancio>{{cite web|url=http://media3.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-09.pdf|title=2009 Bilancio|page=76|date=31 August 2010|access-date=13 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122113101/http://media3.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-09.pdf|archivedate=22 November 2010|publisher=A.C. Milan|language=Italian}}</ref>
Kaká was unveiled as a Real Madrid player on 30 June 2009, and he made his unofficial debut on 7 August 2009 in a 5–1 friendly victory against [[Toronto FC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka, Alonso, Albiol and Arbeloa debut |first=Manuel |last=Arcedillo |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202777693753/noticia/Cronica/Kaka,_Alonso,_Albiol_and_Arbeloa_debut.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=8 August 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 }}</ref> He scored his first goal for Madrid during a pre-season match on 19 August 2009, in a 5–0 victory against [[Borussia Dortmund]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Goal-scoring efficiency |first=Michael |last=J. O'Donnell |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202778408056/noticia/Cronica/Goal-scoring_efficiency.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=19 August 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822115323/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202778408056/noticia/Cronica/Goal-scoring_efficiency.htm |archivedate=22 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Kaká later made his league debut on 29 August 2009 in a 3–2 win against Deportivo de La Coruña.<ref>{{cite news |title=Great start |first=Michael |last=J O'Donnell |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202781663357/noticia/Cronica/great_start.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=29 August 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715162312/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202781663357/noticia/Cronica/Great_start.htm |archivedate=15 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He scored his first goal, a penalty, on 23 September in a 2–0 win against [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cristiano and Kaka make it four straight |first=Carlos |last=Cristobal |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202797535811/noticia/Cronica/Villarreal_0-2_Real_Madrid.htm |work=Realmadrid.com |date=23 September 2009 |accessdate=25 January 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926030417/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1202797535811/noticia/Cronica/Villarreal_0-2_Real_Madrid.htm |archivedate=26 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Real Madrid finished the season as runners-up in [[2009–10 La Liga|La Liga]], with Kaká scoring eight goals and providing six assists in La Liga, and nine goals and eight assists in all competitions.
[[File:Kaká vs Real Sociedad 2011-02-06.jpg|thumb|right|Kaká celebrating a goal with Real Madrid in a 4–1 home victory over [[Real Sociedad]] on 6 February 2011]]
On 5 August 2010, Real Madrid announced that Kaká had undergone a successful surgery on a long-standing left knee injury and would face up to four months on the sidelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/811890/real-madrids-kaka-out-for-up-to-four-months-after-knee-surgery|title=Kaka out for up to four months after knee surgery|date=5 August 2010|work=ESPN FC|accessdate=19 March 2015}}</ref> Kaká returned to training after a long lay-off, with manager [[José Mourinho]] commenting that having Kaká back from injury was like a new signing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/12/18/2266745/kaka-returns-to-squad-training-with-real-madrid-report |title=Kaka Returns To Squad Training With Real Madrid – Report |date=18 December 2010 |accessdate=19 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM|first = Robin|last = Bairner}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/12/07/2249759/real-madrid-coach-jose-mourinho-reiterates-belief-that-kaka |title=Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho Reiterates Belief That Kaka Can Be 'Like A New Signing' In January |date=7 December 2010 |accessdate=19 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM|first = Paul|last = Macdonald}}</ref> After an eight-month absence, Kaká returned to play by entering as a substitute for [[Karim Benzema]] on the 77th minute of a 3–2 victory over [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] on 3 January 2011. He said he was "(...) happy for playing a game again and for stepping onto a pitch."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330033252497/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:__It_was_special_to_play_20_minutes_.htm |title=Kaka: "It was special to play 20 minutes" |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=4 January 2011 |accessdate=1 September 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007191654/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330033252497/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:__It_was_special_to_play_20_minutes_.htm |archivedate=7 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> His first league goal (and his first of the season) after his return from injury came with an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo on a 4–2 victory over Villarreal on 9 January 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330034636042/noticia/Cronica/Ronaldo_steals_show_with_hat-trick.htm |title=Ronaldo steals show with hat-trick |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=9 January 2011 |accessdate=1 September 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007192423/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330034636042/noticia/Cronica/Ronaldo_steals_show_with_hat-trick.htm |archivedate=7 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In March 2011, Kaká suffered from [[Iliotibial band syndrome]], which kept him sidelined for a few weeks. After returning from injury, he appeared in a convincing win over [[Valencia CF|Valencia]], scoring two goals. At the end of his second season with the club, Real Madrid and Kaká had won the [[Copa del Rey]], although they finished as runners-up in both [[2010–11 La Liga|La Liga]] and in the [[2011 Supercopa de España|Supercopa de España]] to rivals Barcelona. Real Madrid were also knocked out of the [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] by Barcelona in the semi-finals of the competition. Kaká finished [[2010–11 Real Madrid C.F. season|his season]] with seven goals and six assists in all competitions in 20 appearances.
[[File:Kaká Real Madrid Tottenham.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká in action against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in the Champions League]]
On 27 September 2011, Kaká experienced one of his best matches as a Real Madrid player during a 3–0 victory over [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], as he scored one goal, provided one assist and participated in one of the best team build-ups of the matchday: a counterattacking move involving [[Mesut Özil]], Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/09/27/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1317157666.html |title=La contra perfecta |publisher=MARCA.com |accessdate=1 September 2012}}</ref> Kaká was later chosen the best player of the Champions League Matchday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/debate/2011/09/1931/prevotaciones1931.html |title=Encuesta: ¿Quién ha sido el mejor jugador de la segunda jornada de la Champions? |accessdate=19 March 2015|website = Marca|language = Spanish}}</ref> With this match, Kaká experienced one of the best starts to a season he has ever had, scoring two goals, serving two assists and winning one penalty for his team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330067651506/noticia/Noticia/Kaka_s_great_start_to_the_season.htm |title=Kaka's great start to the season |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=28 September 2011 |accessdate=1 September 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831151936/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330067651506/noticia/Noticia/Kaka_s_great_start_to_the_season.htm |archivedate=31 August 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In [[2011–12 Real Madrid C.F. season|2011–12]], Real Madrid won [[2011–12 La Liga|La Liga]] with a record 100 points that year, with Kaká providing nine assists and scoring five goals in the competition. They were, however, eliminated for the second year in a row in the semi-finals of the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], losing out to eventual runners-up [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] on penalties. The decisive misses for Real Madrid were by Ronaldo, Kaká and [[Sergio Ramos]]. Kaká was one of the top assist providers of the Champions League that season, providing five assists. He finished the season with eight goals and 14 assists in all club competitions. Real Madrid were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the [[2011–12 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] by eventual winners Barcelona.
[[File:Real Madrid v Sevilla 10 February 2013 A 10.JPG|thumb|right|Kaká takes a corner kick for Madrid in a La Liga game against [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] in February 2013]]
Real Madrid began the [[2012–13 Real Madrid C.F. season|2012–13 season]] by winning the [[2012 Supercopa de España]] against rivals Barça. On 4 December 2012, after scoring in a 4–1 win against Ajax, Kaká became the top Brazilian goalscorer in Champions League history, with 28 goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1431967-real-madrid-vs-ajax-champions-league-live-score-highlights-recap |title=Real Madrid 4–1 Ajax: Spanish Giants Prove Far Too Much for Dutch to Handle |accessdate=19 March 2015|date = 3 December 2012|first = Michael|last = Cerna|website = Bleacher Report}}</ref> After the match, Kaká said, "This was an important goal for me, and I hope I've still got goals left to help Real Madrid. It was an important win and a special night."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330130032039/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:_%E2%80%9CI_hope_I_ve_got_goals_left_to_help_Real_Madrid%E2%80%9D.htm |title=Kaká: "I hope I've got goals left to help Real Madrid" |publisher=Realmadrid.com |date=4 December 2012 |accessdate=21 February 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110131831/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330130032039/noticia/Noticia/Kaka:_%E2%80%9CI_hope_I_ve_got_goals_left_to_help_Real_Madrid%E2%80%9D.htm |archivedate=10 November 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Kaká came on just before an hour was played, but was sent off as he was controversially booked twice within 18 minutes in a 0–0 draw against [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]] on 12 January 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/12/sport/football/kaka-mourinho-real-madrid-barcelona-football |title=Kaka sent off as Madrid miss Ronaldo |publisher=Edition.cnn.com |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref> It was his first sending-off at Madrid since he joined from Milan in 2009 and his first red card since he was dismissed playing for [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] against the [[Côte d'Ivoire national football team|Côte d'Ivoire]] at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/real-s-kaka-sees-red-1.200906 |title=Real's Kaka sees red |publisher=Nst.com.my |date=14 January 2013 |accessdate=25 March 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125124250/http://www.nst.com.my/sports/soccer/real-s-kaka-sees-red-1.200906 |archivedate=25 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Real Madrid finished the season in second place in [[2012–13 La Liga|La Liga]] behind Barcelona, and also finished runners-up in the [[2012–13 Copa del Rey|Copa del Rey]] to [[Madrid Derby|city rivals]] [[Atlético Madrid]]. They were eliminated in the semi-finals of the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] for the third consecutive year by eventual runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
On 29 August 2013, Kaká expressed his desire to leave Real Madrid,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11835/8896238/transfer-news-real-madrids-kaka-wants-to-leave-and-is-linked-with-ac-milan-return |title=Transfer news: Real Madrid's Kaka wants to leave and is linked with AC Milan return | Football News |publisher=Sky Sports |accessdate=29 August 2013}}</ref> having scored 29 goals and provided 32 assists in 120 appearances in all competitions over four seasons at the club.<ref>{{cite web|title=Real Madrid hands Kaka to AC Milan on a free|url=http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/01/real-madrid-hands-kaka-to-ac-milan-on-a-free/|accessdate=10 March 2015|website = NBC Sports (Pro Soccer Talk)|date = 1 September 2013|first = Kyle|last = Bonn}}</ref><ref name="roaminglibero.wordpress.com">{{cite web|title=Kaká: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Ricky Kaká|url=http://roaminglibero.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/ricky-kaka-returns/|accessdate=10 March 2015|date = 13 August 2013|website = The Roaming Libero}}</ref> He said goodbye to Real Madrid and its fans in an [[open letter]] on Twitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/88/spain/2013/09/04/4237245/kaka-bids-emotional-farewell-to-real-madrid |title=Kaka bids emotional farewell to Madrid |publisher=GOAL.COM (USA) |date=4 September 2013 |accessdate=11 March 2015|first = Stefan|last = Coerts}}</ref>
===Return to Milan===
Milan confirmed that Kaká would join the club on 2 September 2013 from Real Madrid on a free transfer with only performance-related incentives owed to Madrid; after agreeing to personal terms, he signed a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23893239|title=Brazil international leaves Real Madrid for AC Milan|date=2 September 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10280329/Transfer-deadline-day-2013-Kaka-re-joins-AC-Milan-on-free-transfer-from-Real-Madrid.html|title = Transfer deadline day 2013: Kaka re-joins AC Milan on free transfer from Real Madrid|date = 2 September 2013|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = The Telegraph|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2408699/Kaka-moves-AC-Milan-Real-Madrid-year-deal.html|title = Madrid let Milan have Kaka for Free|date = 2 September 2013|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Drayton|first = John}}</ref> Kaká's contract was worth €4 million net per year and he was given the number 22 shirt, the same number he wore for Milan during his first spell.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2013/09/02/4231203/official-ac-milan-sign-kaka?ICID=CP_1|title=Official: AC Milan sign Kaka|date=2 September 2013|accessdate=11 March 2015|publisher=Goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/234731.html|title = Kaka snubs England for Milan return|date = 2 September 2013|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = ESPN (UK)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> He was also made the [[Captain (association football)|vice-captain]] upon his arrival.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaka made AC Milan vice captain|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1548859/kaka-made-ac-milan-vice-captain?campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=4716|publisher=ESPN FC|accessdate=11 March 2015|last = Gladwell|first = Ben|date = 10 September 2015}}</ref> He captained Milan in his debut for second spell, taking the armband from goalkeeper [[Marco Amelia]] in a match against [[FC Chiasso|Chiasso]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaka thankful to captain Milan|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1547627/kaka-thankful-captaincy-ac-milan-debut?cc=4716|publisher=ESPN FC|accessdate=11 March 2015|date = 9 September 2013}}</ref>
Kaká tore his left adductor muscle during his first competitive appearance, deciding not to accept any wages from Milan whilst he regained fitness.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1554352/ac-milan-kaka-forgo-pay-injured?cc=5739 |title=Kaka to forgo pay while injured |first=Ben |last=Gladwell |work=ESPN FC |date=16 September 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> He made his return for Milan on 19 October after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory against [[Udinese Calcio|Udinese]]. In his next match, on 22 October, Kaká assisted [[Robinho]] in the 1–1 home draw against Barcelona in the [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]. His first goal, described by [[ESPN]] as "a sensational [[Curl (football)|curling]] shot from the edge of the area into the top right-hand corner," opened the scoring in a 1–1 home draw at [[San Siro]] to Lazio on 30 October.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/uk/en/report/377214/report.html?soccernet=true |title=Disappointing draw for Milan |work=ESPN FC |date=30 October 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> On 7 January 2014, Kaká scored his 100th goal for Milan by an opening goal in a match against [[Atalanta B.C.|Atalanta]]; he later went on to score another goal 30 minutes later.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.goal.com/en/match/milan-vs-atalanta/1552184/report|title = AC Milan 3–0 Atalanta: Kaka double eases pressure on hosts|date = 5 January 2014|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM|publisher = |last = Davies|first = Jack}}</ref> On 11 March he scored a goal against [[Atletico Madrid]] in [[Vicente Calderón Stadium]], this goal made him the last player to score against Atlético Madrid at Vicente Calderón for three seasons in knockout phase until [[Isco]] scored against them in [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League]] semi final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/05/11/59145fcf468aeb15538b4579.html|title= Isco's happiest defeat|publisher=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]] |date=11 May 2017|first = JORGE |last = FERNÁNDEZ}}</ref> On 29 March 2014, Kaká scored twice in a 3–0 win against Chievo, his 300th match for Milan.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/ac-milan/result/result-kaka-inspires-ac-milan-to-chievo-victory_147119.html|title = Result: Kaka inspires AC Milan to Chievo victory|date = 29 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = Sports Mole|publisher = |last = Callaghan|first = Shane}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/03/30/soccer-italy-idINDEEA2T02120140330|title = Kaka scores twice in 300th game as Milan triumph|date = 30 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = Reuters|publisher = |last = Daley|first = Terry}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26713980|title = Brazilian playmaker Kaka scored twice as AC Milan recorded a second successive Serie A win with a comfortable defeat of Chievo.|date = 29 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/ac-milan-claims-second-straight-serie-a-victory-with-3-0-win-over-chievo-032914|title = Balotelli, Kaka lead AC Milan to second straight win against Chievo|date = 29 March 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = FOX Soccer|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
In June 2014, it was reported that Kaká had entered into advanced discussions with [[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]] to join the team in January 2015 when they enter [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/20/orlando-city-kaka-mls-2015|title=Orlando City on brink of bringing Kaká to MLS in 2015 |publisher=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 June 2014 |accessdate=11 March 2015|first = Parker|last = Graham}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27936942|title = Kaka: AC Milan forward in talks with MLS side Orlando City|date = 20 June 2014|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
On 30 June 2014, Kaká had his Milan contract terminated through mutual consent despite having a year remaining, by activating a release clause as a result of the team not qualifying for European competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.acmilan.com/en/news/breaking_news_show/60834|title = OFFICIAL AC MILAN COMMUNICATION|date = 30 June 2014|accessdate = 11 March 2015|website = [[A.C. Milan]]|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
===Orlando City===
[[File:Kaka and Kevin Molino.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Kaká with [[Kevin Molino]] in 2015.]]
Kaka joined future MLS franchise Orlando City as their first [[Designated Player Rule|Designated Player]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/07/01/uk-soccer-kaka-orlando-idUKKBN0F64XF20140701|title = Brazilian soccer star Kaká signs MLS contract with Orlando|date = 2 July 2014|accessdate = 17 March 2015|website = Reuters|publisher = |last = Liston|first = Barbara}}</ref> He stated that he had "always" wanted to play in the United States, and cited the Brazilian owner Flávio Augusto da Silva as a reason for signing. Until Orlando entered the league in [[2015 Major League Soccer season|2015]], Kaká was loaned to his first club São Paulo, which he called "really satisfying."<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka: Brazilian to join Orlando City via Sao Paulo after AC Milan exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28092779|accessdate=11 March 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=ORLANDO CITY SIGNS BRAZILIAN SUPERSTAR KAKA|url=http://orlandocitysc.com/news/?article_id=1932|accessdate=1 July 2014|publisher=Orlando City SC|date=1 July 2014}}</ref>
By signing for Orlando City, Kaká became the highest-paid player in MLS history, with a base salary of [[United States dollar|US$]]6.6 million per year, and with a guaranteed compensation of $7.2 million per year.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2062207/kaka-tops-clint-dempsey-for-highest-paid-player-in-mls|title = Kaka tops Clint Dempsey as the highest-paid player in MLS|date = 29 September 2014|accessdate = 10 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = Carlisle|first = Jeff}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/09/29/mls-salary-figures-2014-kaka-david-villa-nycfc-orlando-city|title = Kaka to be highest-paid player in MLS history; more salary figures|date = 29 September 2014|accessdate = 17 March 2015|website = Planet Futbol (Sports Illustrated)|publisher = |last = Abnos|first = Alexander}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/30/kaka-highest-paid-mls-player-earnings-7m-orlando-city|title = Kaká set to become highest-paid MLS player with earnings of over $7m|date = 30 September 2014|accessdate = 10 March 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2014/09/29/5143454/kaka-is-major-league-soccers-highest-paid-player|title = Kaka is Major League Soccer's highest-paid player|date = 29 September 2014|accessdate = 10 March 2015|website = GOAL.COM (USA)|publisher = |last = Vertelney|first = Seth}}</ref>
====São Paulo (loan)====
On 3 July 2014, Kaká arrived at São Paulo and began training the next day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sem folga, Kaká treina em dois períodos|url=http://www.saopaulofc.net/noticias/noticias/treino/2014/7/5/sem-folga,-kaka-treina-em-dois-periodos/|accessdate=27 July 2014|publisher=São Paulo FC|date=5 July 2014|language=Portuguese}}</ref> He made his comeback in a [[2014 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|league]] match against [[Goiás Esporte Clube|Goiás]] on 27 July 2014, starting and scoring a goal in the 76th minute, although his team lost 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=Goiás encontra o caminho do gol e bate o São Paulo na estreia de Kaká|url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/brasileirao2014/27-07-2014/goias-sao-paulo.html|accessdate=27 July 2014|publisher=Globo Esporte|date=27 July 2014|language=Portuguese}}</ref> On 4 September 2014, in the second round of the [[2014 Copa Sudamericana|Copa Sudamericana]], Kaká scored in a 2–0 victory over [[Criciúma Esporte Clube|Criciúma]].<ref>{{cite news|title=SÃO PAULO VS. CRICIÚMA 2 – 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/05/south-america/copa-sudamericana/sao-paulo-futebol-clube/criciuma-esporte-clube/1914507/|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Soccerway|date=4 September 2014}}</ref> On 9 November 2014, Kaká scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over [[Esporte Clube Vitória|Vitória]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaka helps Sao Paulo down Vitoria|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2014/11/09/kaka-helps-sao-paulo-down-vitoria/|accessdate=9 November 2014|publisher=Fox Sports|date=9 November 2014}}</ref>
==== Return to Orlando City ====
Kaká scored in his first match for Orlando City, a 4–0 friendly win over [[FC Dallas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/02/05/kick-kaka-scores-first-goal-orlando-city-tim-cahill-reacts-new-york-red-bulls|title = Kick Off: Kaka scores his first goal for Orlando City|date = 5 February 2015|accessdate = 13 February 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Keep|first = James}}</ref> Kaká then scored again in a 1–1 friendly draw against [[New York City FC]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/blog/soccer-usa/70/post/2313852/kaka-scores-wondergoal-for-orlando-city-and-the-colorado-rapids-add-a-dp|title = Kaka scores wondergoal for Orlando City and the Colorado Rapids add a DP|date = 23 February 2015|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = Davis|first = Jason}}</ref> On 8 March 2015, Kaká scored a free kick for the equaliser in a 1–1 draw on his MLS debut against New York City FC at the [[Citrus Bowl]], the first in Orlando City's competitive history.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/09/kaka-orlando-city-new-york-mls|title = Debutant Kaká earns Orlando draw against New York with injury-time goal|date = 9 March 2015|accessdate = 9 March 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = Veness|first = Simon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/os-orlando-city-nycfc-live-gamer-20150308-story.html|title = Kaká saves the day for Orlando City in opener|date = 8 March 2015|accessdate = 9 March 2015|website = Orlando Sentinel|publisher = |last = Tenorio|first = Paul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/2337997/kaka-scores-late-as-orlando-draws-with-nycfc-in-mls-debuts|title = Kaka scores late as Orlando splits spoils with NYCFC in MLS debuts|date = 8 March 2015|accessdate = 9 March 2015|website = ESPN FC|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> Kaká scored one and assisted another in a 2–2 draw with [[Montreal Impact]] on 28 March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/03/28/montreal-impact-2-orlando-city-2-mls-match-recap|title = Montreal Impact 2, Orlando City 2 {{!}} MLS Match Recap|date = 28 March 2015|accessdate = 3 April 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Tremblay|first = Olivier}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2412599-kaka-scores-for-orlando-city-in-mls-clash-away-to-montreal-impact|title = Kaka Scores for Orlando City in MLS Clash Away to Montreal Impact|date = 28 March 2015|accessdate = 3 April 2015|website = Bleacher Report|publisher = |last = Patterson|first = Mark}}</ref> Kaká came second in the ''Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month ''poll'' ''for his performances in March.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/04/02/vancouver-whitecap-fcs-octavio-rivero-wins-etihad-airways-mls-player-month-m|title = Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Octavio Rivero wins Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month for March|date = 2 April 2015|accessdate = 19 April 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
On 13 April 2015, Kaká scored a penalty against [[Portland Timbers]] in a 2–0 win.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-04-12-portland-timbers-vs-orlando-city-sc/recap|title = Portland Timbers 0, Orlando City SC 2 {{!}} MLS Match Recap|date = 13 April 2015|accessdate = 19 April 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Itel|first = Dan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/12/kakas-penalty-helps-orlando-city-sink-portland-timbers|title = Kaká's penalty helps Orlando City sink Portland Timbers|date = 13 April 2015|accessdate = 19 April 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> On 17 May 2015, Kaká scored one and assisted another in Orlando City's 4–0 win over defending MLS champions [[LA Galaxy]]. By doing so, Orlando became the first expansion team to beat a defending MLS champion by more than a three-goal margin.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/os-orlando-city-la-galaxy-george-diaz-0517-20150517-column.html|title = Orlando City spices it up with 4–0 rout versus L.A. Galaxy|date = 17 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Orlando Sentinel|publisher = |last = Diaz|first = George}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3085743/Orlando-City-4-0-LA-Galaxy-Kaka-stars-Lions-tear-Bruce-Arena-s-earn-Major-League-Soccer-home-win.html#article-3085743|title = Orlando City 4–0 LA Galaxy: Kaka stars as Lions tear through Bruce Arena's side to earn first Major League Soccer home win|date = 18 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Prescott|first = Daniel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/18/us-soccer-mls-idUSKBN0O304320150518|title = Kaka inspires Orlando to 4–0 thrashing of Galaxy|date = 17 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Reuters|publisher = |last = Simon Evans|first = and Peter Rutherford}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/05/17/after-smashing-la-galaxy-first-mls-home-win-orlando-city-think-citrus-bowl-c|title = After smashing LA Galaxy for first MLS home win, Orlando City think the Citrus Bowl "can be a fortress"|date = 19 May 2015|accessdate = 18 May 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = Rothschild|first = Ty}}</ref> On 30 June, Kaká scored Orlando's opening goal in the 21st minute of his [[2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|Open Cup]] debut, helping his team to a 2–0 home win over [[Columbus Crew SC|Columbus Crew]], in the fifth round of the competition, which enabled the club to advance to the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecup.us/2015/07/01/2015-us-open-cup-round-5-kaka-scores-in-debut-as-orlando-city-hands-columbus-crew-first-ever-shutout-loss-video/|title=2015 US Open Cup Round 5: Kaka scores in debut as Orlando City hands Columbus Crew first-ever shutout loss (video)|publisher=thecup.us|author1=Brian Venard|date=1 July 2015|accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref> On 5 July, he received the first straight red card of his career in a 1–1 away draw against [[Real Salt Lake]]; he had previously scored a goal during the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/05/kaka-shown-first-straight-red-card-his-career-after-scoring-spectacular-goal|title=Kaka shown first straight red card of his career after scoring spectacular goal vs. Real Salt Lake|publisher=MLS|date=6 July 2015|accessdate=5 July 2015}}</ref> Later that month, Kaká was named to the [[2015 MLS All-Star Game]] as the team's captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/20/orlando-city-midfielder-kaka-voted-2015-att-mls-all-star-captain|title=Orlando City midfielder Kaka voted 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star captain|publisher=MLS|date=20 July 2015|accessdate=20 July 2015}}</ref> During the MLS All-Star Game on 29 July, at the [[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] in [[Commerce City, Colorado]], he scored from a penalty and later assisted [[David Villa]] as the MLS All-Stars defeated [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] 2–1; Kaká was named [[2015 MLS All-Star Game#Details|MVP]] of the match.<ref>{{cite web|title=MLS All-Stars 2–1 Tottenham: Kaka and David Villa down Spurs|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/9929022/mls-all-stars-2-1-tottenham-kaka-and-david-villa-down-spurs|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=30 July 2015|date=30 July 2015}}</ref> Despite his efforts, he was unable to help Orlando City become the first expansion team to qualify for the [[2015 MLS Cup Playoffs|MLS Cup Playoffs]] since the [[Seattle Sounders FC|Seattle Sounders]] in 2009, as Orlando narrowly missed out on the sixth seed spot in the Eastern Conference;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2015/10/25/philadelphia-union-1-orlando-city-sc-0-mls-match-recap|title=Philadelphia Union 1, Orlando City SC 0 – MLS Match Recap|publisher=MLS Soccer|author1=Dave Zeitlin|date=25 October 2015|accessdate=26 October 2015}}</ref> he ended his first season with 9 goals and 7 assists in 28 MLS appearances, also scoring another goal from two appearances in the 2015 MLS Open Cup.<ref name="Kaká-MLSProfile"/>
[[File:Kaka 17.jpg|thumb|left|left|Kaká with [[Major League Soccer All-Star Game|MLS All-Star team]] in 2016]]
After initially being sidelined through injury and missing Orlando City's first three matches of the [[2016 Major League Soccer season|2016 MLS season]], Kaká returned to the team's starting line-up and made his first appearance of the season on 3 April, against the Portland Timbers; he assisted two goals and later scored one himself in a 4–1 home victory,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/apr/08/mls-kaka-orlando-city-brilliant|title=MLS preview: Kaka's back for Orlando City – and he's still brilliant|publisher=The Guardian|author1=Tim Hill|date=8 April 2016|accessdate=12 April 2016}}</ref> and was subsequently named to the MLS team of the week for his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/04/04/2016-team-week-wk-5-kaka-returns-lead-orlando-city-over-champs|title=2016 Team of the Week (Wk 5): Kaká returns to lead Orlando City over champs|publisher=MLS Soccer|author1=Benjamin Baer|date=4 April 2016|accessdate=12 April 2016}}</ref> In July 2016, he was included in the roster for the [[2016 MLS All-Star Game]].<ref name="Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal">{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/villa-pirlo-and-kaka-headline-mls-all-star-squad-face-arsenal|title=Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=17 July 2016|accessdate=18 July 2016}}</ref> He finished his second MLS season with the club with 9 goals and 10 assists in 24 appearances,<ref name="Kaká-MLSProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kaka|title=Kaká|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|accessdate=31 October 2016}}</ref> as Orlando once again failed to qualify for the [[2016 MLS Cup Playoffs|MLS Cup Playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/10/21/orlandos-kaka-eager-2017-demands-more-pressure-winning-mentality|title=Orlando's Kaka eager for 2017 but demands more pressure, winning mentality|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|author1=Simon Veness|date=21 October 2016|accessdate=31 October 2016}}</ref>
On 5 March 2017, in Orlando City's opening match of the MLS season against New York City, and the club's [[Orlando City Stadium|stadium]] debut, Kaká hit the turf clutching his left leg just minutes after the game had started; the Lions beat their opponents 1–0. Later, it was reported that Kaká would be out for 6 weeks due to a hamstring strain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-sp-kaka-out-six-weeks-with-hamstring-pull-20170306-story.html|title= Kaká out 6 weeks after pulling hamstring in Orlando City’s season opener|publisher=orlandosentinel.com}}</ref> Kaka came back in action and he scored on his return in Orlando City 2–0 win over [[Colorado Rapids]] on 29 April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3115681/mls-kaka-scores-in-return-to-orlando-city-as-whitecaps-rally-past-impact|title=Kaka scores in return to Orlando City as Whitecaps rally past Impact|publisher=espnfc.com}}</ref> The next week, he scored another goal in Orlando's 2–1 loss against [[Toronto FC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/05/04/cyle-larin-cant-convert-vs-toronto-and-orlando-city-seeks-other-offense|title=Cyle Larin can't convert vs. Toronto, and Orlando City seeks other offense}}</ref> He scored his third goal of the season in a 2–2 draw against [[Sporting Kansas City|Sporting KC]] on 13 May 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/05/13/orlando-city-sc-2-sporting-kansas-city-2-2017-mls-match-recap|title= Orlando City SC 2, Sporting Kansas City 2, 2017 MLS Match Recap}}</ref> On 14 June, he played in the 3–1 loss in [[2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]] match against [[Miami FC]] which was coached by his former teammate [[Alessandro Nesta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/15-06-2017/us-open-cup-miami-nesta-elimina-orlando-city-kaka-nocerino-2001013144091.shtml|title= US Open Cup: il Miami di Nesta elimina l'Orlando City di Kakà e Nocerino|publisher=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]|accessdate=15 June 2017}}</ref> On 17 June he assisted [[Matías Pérez García]]'s goal against [[Montreal Impact]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/17/orlando-city-sc-3-montreal-impact-3-2017-mls-match-recap|title= Orlando City SC 3, Montreal Impact 3, 2017 MLS Match Recap|accessdate=17 June 2017}}</ref> The following match, he provided another assist for [[Scott Sutter]] last minute equalizer against Seattle Sounders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/22/seattle-sounders-fc-1-orlando-city-sc-1-2017-mls-match-recap|title= Seattle Sounders FC 1, Orlando City SC 1, 2017 MLS Match Recap |accessdate=22 June 2017}}</ref> On 7 July, he was chosen to play for the [[2017 MLS All-Star Game]] for the third consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/07/07/2017-mls-all-star-fan-xi|title=2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target headed by hometown stars|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> He scored a long range stunner against [[Atlanta United FC|Atlanta United]] on 29 July.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/07/29/orlando-city-draws-1-1-atlanta-united|title= Orlando City Draws 1-1 at Atlanta United|accessdate=29 July 2017}}</ref>
Orland City were officially eliminated from playoff contention on 7 October, following [[New York Red Bulls]]'s 3–0 victory over [[Vancouver Whitecaps FC|Vancouver Whitecaps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/new-york-red-bulls-vancouver-whitecaps-recap-1.4345663|title=Red Bulls clinch playoff spot with shutout of Whitecaps|publisher=CBC|date=7 October 2017|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref> Kaká announced on 11 October 2017 that he would not be renewing his contract with Orlando City for the 2018 MLS season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/orlando-city-sc/story/3226937/kaka-leaving-orlando-city-after-three-years|title=Kaka won't renew contract with Orlando City at season's end|publisher=espnfc.com|date=11 October 2017|accessdate=16 October 2017}}</ref> He played his last official match for Orlando on 15 October in a 1–0 home defeat against Columbus Crew;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themaneland.com/2017/10/15/16479932/orlando-city-vs-columbus-crew-final-score-1-0-as-lions-lose-kakas-final-mls-match|title=Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew: Final Score 1-0 as Lions Lose Kaká’s Final MLS Match|publisher=espnfc.com|date=15 October 2017|accessdate=16 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/10/15/hard-day-very-happy-day-kak-bids-farewell-orlando-city-sc|title=Kaká bids farewell to Orlando City SC: A "hard day, but very happy"|publisher=www.mlssoccer.com|author1=Simon Veness|date=16 October 2017|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref> he finished the 2017 MLS season with 6 goals and 5 assists in 23 league appearances.<ref name="Kaká-MLSProfile"/> He later appeared once more for Orlando, in a 6–1 home win over the [[Puerto Rico national football team|Puerto Rican national team]] in the ''Fuerza Puerto Rico'' friendly, held on 5 November, to raise money for [[Hurricane Maria]] relief. In total, Kaká made 75 league appearances in his three seasons with Orlando, scoring 24 goals and providing 22 assists.<ref name="Fuerza Puerto Rico">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/11/05/kak-makes-final-curtain-call-friendly-puerto-rican-hurricane-relief|title=Kaká makes final curtain call in friendly for Puerto Rican hurricane relief|publisher=www.mlssoccer.com|author1=Ian Quillen|date=5 November 2017|accessdate=5 November 2017}}</ref>
===Retirement===
Kaká announced his retirement on 17 December 2017, after turning down offers from former clubs [[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]] and [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]. He also expressed interest in working as a [[Director of football|director]], confirming that his former club Milan had offered him a role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/programas/esporte-espetacular/noticia/kaka-anuncia-aposentadoria-e-diz-que-vai-estudar-para-ser-dirigente.ghtml|title=Kaká anuncia aposentadoria e diz que vai estudar para ser dirigente|trans-title=Kaká announces retirement and says he will prepare to become a director|publisher=Globoesporte.com|language=portuguese|author1=Marcel Merguizo|date=17 December 2017|accessdate=17 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/17/kaka-retires-football-age-35-milan-brazil|title=Former Milan and Real Madrid player Kaká retires from football at age of 35|last=Reuters|date=2017-12-17|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-12-19|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==International career==
[[File:Kaka061115.jpg|thumb|upright|Kaká with Brazil]]
Kaká was called up for the [[2001 FIFA World Youth Championship]], but the [[Brazil national football team|Brazilians]] crashed out to [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] in the quarter-finals. Several months later, he made his debut for the senior Brazil squad in a friendly match against [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] on 31 January 2002. He was part of Brazil's [[2002 FIFA World Cup]]-winning squad in Korea/Japan, but played only 25 minutes, all of which were in the first round match against [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kakafans.net/kakablog.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016154138/http://kakafans.net/kakablog.php|archivedate=16 October 2007 |title=// Kaka's World Cup Blog – IN ENGLISH! |publisher=Kakafans.net |accessdate=12 December 2010}}</ref>
In 2003, Kaká was the captain for the [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup]], where Brazil, competing with their [[Brazil Olympic football team|under-23 team]], finished as runner-up to [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]. He scored three goals during the tournament. He was included in Brazil's squad for [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]] in Germany. He appeared in all five matches and scored one goal in a 4–1 win over [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/news/newsid=2653396/|title=Brazilian carnival climaxes Frankfurt festival|publisher=FIFA.com|date=29 June 2015|accessdate=7 July 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Kaka.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Kaká training with Brazil prior to the start of the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]]]
Kaká started in his first [[FIFA World Cup]] finals in [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] and scored his first and only goal of the tournament in Brazil's 1–0 victory over [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in Brazil's opener, for which he was named [[Man of the Match]].<ref name="MoTM">[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/news/newsid=11848.html Budweiser Man of the Match] – FIFA.com, 13 June 2006</ref> Kaká was unable to keep up the momentum for the remainder of the tournament, as Brazil was eliminated by [[France national football team|France]] in the quarter-finals with French star [[Thierry Henry]] scoring the winner.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991616.stm|title = Brazil 0–1 France: Thierry Henry's superb volley sent holders Brazil out of the World Cup as France moved into the semi-finals.|date = 1 July 2006|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> In a friendly against rivals Argentina on 3 September 2006, after entering as a substitute, Kaká received the ball off a deflection from an Argentina corner kick and outran [[Lionel Messi]] while taking the ball down three quarters of the field to score.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=105920.html|title=New-look Brazil sink Argentina|date=4 September 2006|accessdate=22 May 2009}}</ref>
On 12 May 2007, citing an exhaustive schedule of [[Serie A]], [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] and national team play, Kaká bowed out of the [[Copa América 2007|2007 Copa América]], which Brazil won.<ref>[http://www.wldcup.com/news/2007/05/20070512_42374_soccer_news.html Tired Kaká to skip Copa America] – World Soccer News, 5 December 2007</ref> After missing out on the Copa América, he returned to play in Brazil's friendly match against [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] on 22 August 2007.
Kaká participated in the [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]], wearing the [[Squad number (association football)|number 10 shirt]], marking his first international tournament since the 2006 World Cup. His only two goals came in Brazil's group stage opener against [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] on 14 June, when he scored a goal in the fifth minute and then added a 90th-minute penalty in Brazil's 4–3 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8097813.stm|title=Brazil 4–3 Egypt |date=15 June 2009|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=30 June 2009 | first=Mark | last=Ashenden}}</ref> Kaká also provided two assists throughout the tournament. He received the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament at the Confederations Cup and was also named the Man of the Match in the final after helping Brazil to a 3–2 win against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1077806.html#top+awards+brazilian|title=Top awards for Brazilian duo|date=28 June 2009|work=FIFA.com|accessdate=30 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8120561.stm|title=US 2–3 Brazil |date=28 June 2009|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=30 June 2009 | first=Phil | last=Dawkes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká Fact File|url=http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|publisher=Espnstar|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721090409/http://www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga/news/detail/item288496/Kaka-Factfile/|archivedate=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Brazil & Chile match at World Cup 2010-06-28 6.jpg|right|thumb|Kaká (left) playing for Brazil against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] at the 2010 World Cup.]]
At the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] in South Africa, during the match against [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]] on 20 June, Kaká received a controversial red card after receiving two yellow cards. The second card was given for an alleged elbow in the direction of [[Abdul Kader Keïta]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jul/02/holland-brazil-world-cup-match-report|title = World Cup 2010: Holland knock out Brazil with spirited comeback|date = 2 July 2010|accessdate = 15 March 2015|website = The Guardian|publisher = |last = Williams|first = Richard}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2010 FIFA World Cup: Kaka's Wild Red Card Proves Need for Video Replay|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/409009-a-wild-red-card-on-kaka-we-need-video-replay-for-world-cup|accessdate=6 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249718/match=300061507/index.html#nosticky|title = Dutch fightback buries Brazil|date = 2 July 2010|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = FIFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> Kaká ended the tournament with three assists in total, as the joint-top assist provider, although he failed to score a goal during the tournament. Brazil eventually ended up losing 2–1 to World Cup eventual runners-up [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] in the quarter-finals of the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_57/default.stm|title = Netherlands 2–1 Brazil: The Netherlands produced a stunning second-half comeback to reach the semi-finals as Brazil's World Cup imploded in a dramatic game in Port Elizabeth.|date = 2 July 2010|accessdate = 12 March 2015|website = BBC Sport|publisher = |last = Bevan|first = Chris}}</ref> After more than a year absence from the national team due to a series of injuries, Kaká was recalled on 27 October 2011 for the friendly matches against [[Gabon national football team|Gabon]] and Egypt in November.<ref>[http://www.cbf.com.br/noticias/selecao-brasileira/2011/10/27/convocacao-do-mano Seleção Brasileira está convocada] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029011304/http://www.cbf.com.br/noticias/selecao-brasileira/2011/10/27/convocacao-do-mano |date=29 October 2011 }}</ref> He later had to be removed from the squad due to a calf injury, and thus did not play either of the matches.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brazil's Kaka misses friendlies against Gabon and Egypt|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15626159|publisher=BBC|date=12 October 2015}}</ref>
After not appearing for Brazil in two years, Kaká was recalled on 28 September 2012 for the friendly matches against [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]] and [[Japan national football team|Japan]] in October.<ref>{{cite web|last=Etherington |first=Tom |url=http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/36225_kaka__i_did_not_expect_brazil_recall.html |title=Kaká: I did not expect Brazil recall |publisher=Sambafoot.com |accessdate=30 September 2012}}</ref> Following his recall to the ''Seleção'' squad, Kaká stated, "I admit it was a surprise this call ... When the list was published, I was extremely happy. It was like my first call-up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/3296/brazil/2012/09/28/3410006/kaka-elated-with-surprise-return-to-brazilian-national-team |title='Kaka elated with surprise return to Brazilian national team |publisher=Goal.com |accessdate=30 September 2012}}</ref> Brazil coach [[Mano Menezes]] stated that despite Kaká and [[Oscar (footballer born 1991)|Oscar]]'s similarities, the two would be able to play alongside each other, as Kaká had slightly changed his playing style.<ref>{{cite web|last=Etherington |first=Tom |url=http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/36221_mano_menezes_believes_kaka_and_chelsea_s_oscar_can_play_alongside_each_other_for_brazil.html |title=Mano Menezes believes Kaká and Chelsea's Oscar can play alongside each other for Brazil |publisher=Sambafoot.com |accessdate=30 September 2012}}</ref> On his return to the national side, Kaká scored in both matches, a 6–0 win over Iraq<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2216523/Brazil-6-Iraq-0-Oscar-Kaka-Hulk-Neymar-Lucas-target.html|title=Brazil 6 Iraq 0: Oscar gets two as Kaka nets after two-year hiatus from international duty|date=11 October 2012|publisher=Daily Mail}}</ref> and a 4–0 win over Japan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/neymar-scores-twice-as-brazil-demolish-japan-in-friendly-in-poland-8213711.html|title=Neymar scores twice as Brazil demolish Japan in friendly in Poland|date=16 October 2012|publisher=The Independent}}</ref> Kaká retained his place in the squad for Brazil's 1,000th game in history, a 1–1 friendly draw against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] on 14 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1207502/brazil-name-strong-squad-for-colombia-clash?cc=5739 |title=Brazil name strong squad for Colombia clash |publisher=Soccernet.espn.go.com |date=30 October 2012 |accessdate=21 February 2013}}</ref>
On 5 March 2013, Kaká was called up by new Brazil coach [[Luiz Felipe Scolari]] for the first time since the coach's return, for [[Exhibition game|friendlies]] with [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in [[London]] and [[Russia national football team|Russia]] in [[Geneva]], both taking place late in that month.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sargeant, Jack |url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/3/18/4119626/brazil-vs-italy-russia-team-news-squad-2014-world-cup-qualifying |title=Kaka included; Ronaldinho omitted from Brazil squad |publisher=SBNation.com |date=18 March 2013 |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/item/205113-kaka-vows-to-earn-brazil-world-cup-berth |title=Kaka vows to earn Brazil World Cup berth |publisher=Sports.ndtv.com |date=19 March 2013 |accessdate=25 March 2013}}</ref> Kaká, however, was not selected for the national team for the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup|2013 Confederations Cup]] and was also omitted in Scolari's [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] squad.<ref>[http://www.cbssports.com/world-cup/eye-on-world-cup/24553498/brazil-names-23-man-world-cup-roster-ronaldinho-kaka-left-out "Brazil names 23-man World Cup roster; Ronaldinho, Kaka left out"]. CBS. Retrieved 24 May 2014</ref> After almost 18 months, Kaká was recalled to the Brazilian team in October 2014 by new manager [[Dunga]] for friendlies against Argentina and Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/kaka-earns-brazil-recall/1ev43oammqx721at3ubvdbut6o|title = Kaka earns Brazil recall|date = 3 October 2014|accessdate = 14 February 2015|website = Football Australia|publisher = |last = Hanson|first = Peter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2780051/Alexandre-Pato-smashes-EGG-Kaka-hearing-Dunga-called-former-AC-Milan-star-Brazil.html|title = Kaka takes an egg to the head from Alexandre Pato as Brazil star receives recall to national team|date = 4 October 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Miles|first = Grant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/10/04/kaka-earns-brazil-recall|title = Kaka earns Brazil recall|date = 4 October 2014|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = SBS (The World Game)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> On 1 May 2015, Kaká was selected as one of seven stand-by players in Brazil's preliminary squad for the [[2015 Copa América]],<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-orlando-city-soccer-kaka-brazil-copa-america-20150512-post.html|title = Orlando City's Kaká added to Brazil's preliminary Copa América squad|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Orlando Sentinel|publisher = |last = Tenorio|first = Paul}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/05/12/orlando-city-scs-kaka-added-brazils-copa-america-squad-could-miss-six-mls-ga|title = Orlando City SC's Kaká added to Brazil’s Copa América preliminary roster|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Major League Soccer|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/05/12/brazil-copa-america-kaka-dunga|title = Dunga names Kaká among Brazil's Copa America roster alternates|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Planet Futbol (Sports Illustrated)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/orlando-city-ace-kaka-brazil-s-preliminary-list-copa-america-4076914#.VVK4HJMndf4|title = Orlando City ace Kaka on Brazil’s preliminary list for Copa America|date = 13 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = Tribal Football|publisher = |last = Slevison|first = Andrew}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/05/12/kaka-added-brazil-squad|title = Kaka added to Brazil squad|date = 12 May 2015|accessdate = 13 May 2015|website = SBS (The World Game)|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> although he was not called up for the final tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12027/9881427/copa-america-2015-can-dunga8217s-new-look-squad-triumph-in-chile|title=Copa America 2015: Can Dunga's new-look Brazil squad triumph in Chile?|publisher=Sky Sports|date=14 June 2015|accessdate=7 July 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, he was called up to the national team once again for the team's international friendlies in September, and made a substitute appearance in Brazil's 1–0 victory over Costa Rica on 5 September; this was his first appearance for Brazil in almost a year, and his 90th appearance for his country overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/chlg/news/823944|title=Orlando City captain Kaka returns as Brazil defeats Costa Rica|publisher=The Score|author1=Armen Bedakian|date=5 September 2015|accessdate=10 September 2015}}</ref> Following [[Douglas Costa]]'s left thigh injury in late May 2016, which ruled him out of Brazil's [[Copa América Centenario]] squad, Kaká was called up as a replacement by Dunga.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36396523|title=Copa America: Kaka replaces injured Douglas Costa in Brazil squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 May 2016|accessdate=27 May 2016}}</ref> On 30 May, he subsequently appeared as an 80th-minute substitute in a pre-Copa América friendly warm-up match against [[Panama national football team|Panama]], which ended in a 2–0 victory to Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/05/30/kaka-makes-substitute-appearance-brazil-defeat-panama-2-0|title=Kaká makes substitute appearance as Brazil defeat Panama 2-0|publisher=MLSSoccer.com|author1=Benjamin Baer|date=30 May 2016|accessdate=30 May 2016}}</ref> A muscle injury sustained in early June, however, also ruled Kaká out of the upcoming tournament; he was replaced by [[Paulo Henrique Ganso|Ganso]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36432510|title=Copa America: Kaka ruled out for Brazil with injury|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 June 2016|accessdate=2 June 2016}}</ref>
==Style of play==
{{Quote box||width=29%|align = right |quote = "For two, maybe three seasons [at Milan] he was the best player in the world, there was nothing he couldn’t do."
|source =—Brazilian playmaker [[Ronaldinho]] on Kaká.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2980792/Lionel-Messi-Thierry-Henry-Kaka-legends-Ronaldinho-s-Champions-League-dream-team.html|title=Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Kaka make Ronaldinho's Champions League dream team|issue=6 March 2015|publisher=Daily Mail|last = Morlidge|first = Matt |accessdate=6 March 2015}}</ref>}}
[[File:Kaka 355 280 px.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká at Milan in 2009, a club where he spent his prime years]]
Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Kaká has been described on the [[FIFA]] website as having the "capacity to glide almost effortlessly past opponents, provide defence-splitting passes and score consistently from distance."<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player=184312/profile.html "Kaka Profile"]. FIFA.com. Retrieved 7 June 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/17/newsstory.acmilan|title=Kaka named world's best player|publisher=The Guardian|date=17 December 2007|accessdate=18 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/features/177868-lionel-messi-magic-captivates-even-football-legends|title=Messi magic captivates even football legends|accessdate=18 December 2014}}</ref> During his prime at Milan in the mid to late 2000s, and prior to the injuries he suffered at Real Madrid which affected his mobility, he was a quick, agile, highly skilful and creative team player with great pace, ball control and balance, capable of [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] past defenders in one on one situations as well as during counterattacks.<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame"/><ref name="repubblica.it">{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2003/j/sezioni/sport/calcio/champions_league/mibruprima/mibruprima/mibruprima.html?ref=search|title=Kakà, Rui, Sheva e Inzaghi tutti insieme per il Bruges|publisher=La Repubblica|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2004/ottobre/25/Kaka_slalom_ammoniti_Maldini_non_co_9_041025078.shtml|title=Kakà in slalom: 4 ammoniti Maldini non sbaglia niente|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=Italian|date=25 October 2004|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2004/a/sezioni/sport/calcio/classe/classe/classe.html?ref=search|title=Kakà, un predestinato alta classe brasiliana|publisher=La Repubblica|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Matchett">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2738922-the-forgotten-genius-of-kaka|title=The Forgotten Genius of Kaka|publisher=bleacherreport.com|author1=Karl Matchett|date=16 October 2017|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref> Regarding Kaká's speed and elegance on the ball, in 2017, Karl Matchett of ''[[Bleacher Report]]'' stated:
{{quote|"His gait, particularly when in possession, was mesmeric. Reasonably unusual in stature for a [[Playmaker|playmaking]] midfielder at a little over six feet tall, Kaká could still turn and accelerate past a defender in the same way the smaller, low-centre-of-gravity No. 10s would manage—but that same elegant, long-legged stride made him unstoppable on the run."<ref name="Matchett"/>}}
Kaká was also renowned for his vision and passing ability, enabling him to [[Assist (football)|create chances]] for teammates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://squawka.com/news/2013/08/30/should-arsenal-man-united-chase-this-south-american-super-star-transfer-scouting-report/2013083019442|title=Why Arsenal & Man United Should Chase This South American Superstar. Transfer Scouting Report.|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref> Having performed predominantly as a playmaking [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]] throughout his career, he was known for being capable of scoring goals as well as creating and assisting them.<ref>{{cite web|title=Agroppi: Kakà e Ibra fra i primi dieci stranieri mai venuti in Italia|url=http://club.quotidiano.net/dascoli/agroppi_kaka_e_ibra_fra_i_primi_dieci_stranieri_mai_venuti_in_italia|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> A versatile player, he was also deployed in several other [[Forward (association football)|attacking]] positions throughout his career, performing as a [[Forward (association football)#Winger|winger]] on either flank,<ref name="repubblica.it"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2003/ottobre/22/Rui_Costa_centrale_Kaka_sfruttera_ga_0_031022744.shtml|title=Rui Costa centrale Kakà sfrutterà la fascia sinistra|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian|date=22 October 2003|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> as a [[Forward (association football)#Second striker|supporting forward]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2004/novembre/12/Modulo_Kaka_seconda_punta_ero_ga_10_0411128746.shtml|title=Modulo Kakà: "La seconda punta ero io"|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=Italian|date=12 November 2004|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> and on occasion as an outright [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]],<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.it/news/milan-ancelotti-kaka-e-un-trequartista/|title=Milan, Ancelotti: "Kakà è un trequartista"|website=sport.it|language=Italian|accessdate=9 December 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213104457/http://www.sport.it/news/milan-ancelotti-kaka-e-un-trequartista/|archivedate=13 December 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> or even in a deeper role as a [[Midfielder|midfield]] playmaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/esclusiva-tmw-milan-benetti-kaka-regista-scelto-il-danno-minore-502676|title=ESCLUSIVA TMW - Milan, Benetti: "Kakà regista? Scelto il danno minore"|publisher=TuttoMercatoWeb.com|language=Italian|author1=Marco Conterio|date=18 November 2013|accessdate=16 January 2017}}</ref> In addition to these characteristics, Kaká also possessed a powerful and accurate shot from both inside and outside the penalty area, with either foot;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2006/giugno/15/piu_forte_Kaka_co_9_060615043.shtml|title=Io, più forte di Kaká|publisher=Il Corriere della Sera|language=Italian|date=15 June 2006|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> he was also an accurate [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] taker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportlive.it/calcio/calcio-news/fantacalcio-rigoristi-serie-a.html|title=Fantacalcio: i migliori rigoristi e le possibili sorprese|website=sportlive.it|language=Italian|accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2012/04/27/sport/calcio/rigori-sbagliano-anche-i-fenomeni-pUOzwt8rcD23tRss9IIrUK/pagina.html|title=Rigori, sbagliano anche i fenomeni|publisher=La Stampa|language=Italian|date=27 April 2012|accessdate=19 January 2015}}</ref>
==Personal life==
[[File:Kaka caroline.jpg|thumb|Kaká with his then wife [[Caroline Celico|Caroline]]]]
Kaká married his childhood sweetheart [[Caroline Celico]] on 23 December 2005 at a Rebirth in Christ church in [[São Paulo]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/4286613/Seven-dead-and-dozens-injured-after-Kakas-church-collapses-during-service.html |title=Seven dead and dozens injured after 'Kaka's church' collapses during service |date=19 January 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |first=Andrew |last=Downie }}</ref> The couple have two children: son Luca Celico Leite (born 10 June 2008) and<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/12/24/d51224041745.htm | title=Kaka ties the knot |date=24 December 2008 | accessdate=25 January 2011 | newspaper=Daily Star }}</ref> daughter Isabella (born 23 April 2011).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/RealKaka/status/12517125235146752 |title=Tweet |quote=It's with great joy, that I confirm that my lovely wife @cacelico is pregnant of our 2nd child !! Now it's a girl !! |publisher=Twitter |date=8 December 2010 |accessdate=9 January 2011 }}</ref> In 2015, Kaká and Celico announced their divorce via social media.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Caroline Celico on Instagram: "Uma das decisões mais difíceis da nossa vida é escolher se queremos andar juntos, ou separados. Decisões que influenciam outros, que…"|url = https://instagram.com/p/50SJ_Oy3yZ/|website = Instagram|accessdate = 3 August 2015}}</ref>
Kaká was sworn in as an Italian citizen on 12 February 2007.<ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/200702/13/eng20070213_349678.html Brazilian Kaká gets Italian citizenship] – People's Daily Online, 13 February 2007</ref> He features prominently in [[Adidas]] advertising and also has a modeling contract with [[Giorgio Armani|Armani]], the latter preventing him from appearing in a photo collection alongside his Milan teammates that was published by [[Dolce & Gabbana]] in early 2007.<ref>[http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-galleries/2013/09/sexiest-hottest-footballers-of-all-time#!image-number=21 "Hottest Footballers of all time. #21. Kaka"]. Glamour Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2014</ref>
Kaká appeared on the cover of the Italian edition of [[EA Sports]]' [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game]] ''[[FIFA 07]]'', alongside compatriot and global coverstar [[Ronaldinho]];<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA 07|url=http://allfifa.weebly.com/fifa-07.html|website=allfifa.weebly.com|accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref> he was also featured on the cover of some regional editions of ''[[FIFA 11]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/fifa-11-launches-worldwide-with-ten-different-covers-2094613.html |title='FIFA 11' launches worldwide with ten different covers |newspaper=The Independent |date=1 October 2010 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> ''[[FIFA 12]]'',<ref>{{cite web|author1=Eddie Makuch|title=Rooney, Kaka named FIFA 12 global cover stars|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rooney-kaka-named-fifa-12-global-cover-stars/1100-6326371/|website=gamespot.com|accessdate=25 April 2015|date=1 August 2011}}</ref> and ''[[FIFA 16]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/09/22/ea-sports-fifa-16-finally-stores-find-out-who-made-mls-custom-cover|title=EA Sports FIFA 16 is finally in stores! Find out who made the MLS custom cover|publisher=MLS Soccer|date=22 September 2015|accessdate=23 September 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Ronaldinho, Beckham, Kaka, Ancelotti.jpg|thumb|left|Kaká (second from right) at Milan with [[Ronaldinho]] and [[David Beckham]] to his right. The three players have a large fan base on social media.<ref name="so media"/>]]
Kaká cites [[Raí]], the former Brazilian national team and São Paulo FC captain, as his footballing role model.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kaká: A dream come true |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid=663469.html |work=FIFA |date=17 December 2007 |accessdate=25 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kaká leads a Brazilian celebration |first=Rob |last=Hughes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/sports/18iht-SOCCER.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=18 December 2007 |accessdate=25 January 2011 }}</ref> He is best friends with [[Marcelo Saragosa]], who also played professionally. They each served as the [[best man]] at the other's wedding.<ref>{{cite web |title=FC Dallas Updates: AC Milan or Liverpool? |publisher=Blogger |date=22 May 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911084241/http://worldcupway.blogspot.com/2007/05/ac-milan-or-liverpool.html |archivedate=11 September 2007|url=http://worldcupway.blogspot.com/2007/05/ac-milan-or-liverpool.html }}</ref> He is also close friends with Colombia striker [[Radamel Falcao]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Gleeson |first=Patrick |url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/82/south-america/2012/11/12/3523627/kaka-hails-falcao-ahead-of-brazil-colombia-friendly |title=Kaka hails Falcao ahead of Brazil-Colombia friendly |publisher=Goal.com |date=12 November 2012|accessdate=14 November 2012}}</ref>
In April 2012, Kaká became the first sportsperson to amass ten million followers on [[Twitter]],<ref name= "10 Million" /> and by March 2015, Kaká had the fifth-highest social media rank in the world among athletes, behind [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], [[Lionel Messi]], [[David Beckham]] and [[Neymar]], with 33 million [[Facebook]] fans.<ref name="so media">{{cite news|title=Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Shakira as Facebook's most 'liked' person|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cristiano-ronaldo-overtakes-shakira-as-facebook-s-most--liked-person-085815659-soccer.html?pt=1/|publisher=Yahoo.com|date=10 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2994765/Cristiano-Ronaldo-goes-Facebook-charts-Real-Madrid-star-overtakes-Shakira.html|title = Cristiano Ronaldo goes top of the Facebook charts as Real Madrid star overtakes Shakira to become most liked person|date = 15 March 2015|accessdate = 16 March 2015|website = Daily Mail|publisher = |last = Embury-dennis|first = Tom}}</ref>
[[File:Kaka boots.jpg|thumb|right|A pair of Kaká's [[Adidas]] boots, with a declaration of his Christian faith]]
Kaká is a devout [[evangelical]] Christian who was an active member of the São Paulo-based [[Igreja Renascer em Cristo|Rebirth in Christ Church]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/19/world/americas/19brazil.html |title=Brazil's Top TV Preachers Land in Hot Water in Miami |date=19 March 2007 |accessdate=15 September 2009 |work=The New York Times |first=Larry |last=Rohter}}</ref> He became engrossed in religion at the age of 12: "I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not." He removed his jersey to reveal an "I Belong to Jesus" T-shirt and openly engaged in prayer moments after the final whistle of Brazil's 2002 World Cup, and Milan's 2004 ''Scudetto'' and 2007 Champions League triumphs. He also had the same phrase, along with "God Is Faithful," stitched onto the tongues of his boots.<ref name="Mitten">{{cite news |last=Mitten |first=Andy |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/the-golden-boy-of-a-golden-team-481010.html |title=The golden boy of a golden team |accessdate=15 June 2010 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |location=London |date=4 June 2006}}</ref> During the post-match celebration following Brazil's 4–1 win over Argentina in the [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005 Confederations Cup]] final, he and several of his teammates wore T-shirts that read "Jesus Loves You" in various languages. While receiving the FIFA World Footballer of the Year award in 2007, he said when he was young he just wanted to be a professional player for São Paulo and play one game for the Brazil national team, but that "God gave [him] more than he ever asked for."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7121175.stm|work=BBC News |title=Kaka wins Fifa world player crown |date=17 December 2007}}</ref> Though sharing a common goal, Kaká is not currently a formal member of the organization ''Atletas de Cristo'' ("Athletes of Christ").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atletasdecristo.org/eng/kaka.htm |title=Interview |accessdate=26 December 2006 |publisher=Atletas de Cristo |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202175708/http://www.atletasdecristo.org/eng/kaka.htm |archivedate= 2 February 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> In goal celebrations, he usually points to the sky as a gesture of thanks to God. Kaká's favourite music genre is [[gospel music|gospel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rickykaka.com/en/index.php?function=show_all&no=120 |title=Public Chat Session |accessdate=26 December 2006 |publisher=RickyKaka.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927075229/http://www.rickykaka.com/en/index.php?function=show_all&no=120 |archivedate=27 September 2007 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> and his favourite book is the [[Bible]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/05/02/sfnkak02.xml Milan put their faith in Kaka] – The Telegraph, 5 February 2007</ref> In an interview with the Brazilian television [[O Globo]], Kaka manifested the will to become an evangelical pastor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evangelici.net/notizie/1164009608.html|title=Kakà: "Io, futuro pastore evangelico"|language=Italian}}</ref>
Since November 2004, Kaká has served as an Ambassador Against Hunger for the [[United Nations]]' [[World Food Programme]], the youngest to do so at the time of his appointment.<ref name="WFP-30Nov2004" /> In August 2015, Kaká announced he will attend [[Full Sail University]] in [[Winter Park, Florida]], and major in [[Sports marketing|Sports Marketing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themaneland.com/2015/8/5/9102209/kaka-to-miss-clash-with-toronto-fc|title=Kakà to Miss Clash with Toronto FC|author=Sean Rollins|work=The Mane Land}}</ref> On 24 December 2016, Kaka confirmed that he is dating the Brazilian model Carolina Dias. The pair attended [[Lucas Moura]]’s wedding in [[Sao Paulo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/574976/Real-Madrid-star-Kaka-confirms-dating-model-Brazilian-Carolina-Dias|title=Real Madrid star Kaka confirms he's dating stunning Brazilian model|accessdate=22 April 2018|date=3 January 2017}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|matches played on 15 October 2017.}}
{| class="wikitable" Style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club!!rowspan="2"|Season!!colspan="3"|League!!colspan="2"|Cup!!colspan="2"|Continental<ref group="nb">Includes the [[Copa Mercosul]], [[Copa Sudamericana]], [[UEFA Champions League]] and [[UEFA Cup]]</ref>!!colspan="2"|Other<ref group="nb">Includes [[Campeonato Paulista]], [[Torneio Rio – São Paulo]], [[Supercoppa Italiana]], [[Supercopa de España]], [[UEFA Super Cup]], [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] and [[FIFA Club World Cup]]</ref>!!colspan="2"|Total!!rowspan="2"|{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!League!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[São Paulo FC|São Paulo]]||[[2001 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2001]]||rowspan="3"|[[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Brasileirão]]||27||12||7||1||5||0||16||4||55||17||
|-
|[[2002 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2002]]||22||9||9||6||rowspan="2" colspan="2"|—||17||8||48||23||
|-
|[[2003 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|2003]]||10||2||5||0||7||5||22||7||
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!59!!23!!21!!7!!5!!0!!40!!17!!125!!47!!—
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[A.C. Milan|Milan]]||[[2003–04 A.C. Milan season|2003–04]]||rowspan="6"|[[Serie A]]||30||10||4||0||10||4||1||0||45||14||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches">{{cite web|title=Kaká » Club matches|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/kaka/2/|publisher=World Football|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2004–05 A.C. Milan season|2004–05]]||36||7||1||0||13||2||1||0||51||9||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2005–06 A.C. Milan season|2005–06]]||35||14||2||0||12||5||rowspan="2" colspan="2"|—||49||19||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2006–07 A.C. Milan season|2006–07]]||31||8||2||0||15||10||48||18||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2007–08 A.C. Milan season|2007–08]]||30||15||0||0||8||2||3||2||41||19||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2008–09 A.C. Milan season|2008–09]]||31||16||1||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||36||16||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!193!!70!!10!!0!!62!!23!!5!!2!!270!!95!!—
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]||[[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]]||rowspan="4"|[[La Liga]]||25||8||1||0||7||1||rowspan="2" colspan="2"|—||33||9||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|[[2010–11 La Liga|2010–11]]||14||7||3||0||3||0||20||7||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2010|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]]||27||5||4||0||8||3||1||0||40||8||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2011|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2012–13 La Liga|2012–13]]||19||3||2||1||6||1||colspan="2"|—||27||5||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2012|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!85!!23!!10!!1!!24!!5!!1!!0!!120!!29!!—
|-
|Milan||[[2013–14 A.C. Milan season|2013–14]]||Serie A||30||7||1||0||6||2||rowspan="5" colspan="2"|—||37||9||<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/21364/kaka?season=2013|website=ESPN FC|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|São Paulo||[[2014 São Paulo FC season|2014]]||Brasileirão||19||2||0||0||5||1||24||3||<ref name="Kaká » Club matches"/>
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Orlando City SC|Orlando City]]||[[2015 Orlando City SC season|2015]]||rowspan="3"|[[Major League Soccer|MLS]]||28||9||2||1||rowspan="3" colspan="2"|—||30||10||<ref name="Kaká Soccerway">{{cite web|title=Kaká|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ricardo-izecson-santos-leite/146/|website=Soccerway|publisher=Perform Group|accessdate=6 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="Kaka-MLS_Profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kaka|title=Kaká|publisher=MLSsoccer.com|accessdate=18 October 2017}}</ref>
|-
|[[2016 Orlando City SC season|2016]]||24||9||0||0||24||9||<ref name="Kaká Soccerway"/><ref name="Kaka-MLS_Profile"/>
|-
|[[2017 Orlando City SC season|2017]]||23||6||1||0||24||6||<ref name="Kaká Soccerway"/><ref name="Kaka-MLS_Profile"/>
|-
!colspan="2"|Totals!!75!!24!!3!!1!!colspan="4"|—!!78!!25!!—
|-
!colspan="3"|Career totals!!461!!149!!44!!9!!102!!31!!46!!19!!654!!208!!—
|}
{{reflist|group=nb}}
===International===
====International statistics====
{{updated|match played 29 May 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Kaka|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/1013/Kaka.html|publisher=National football team|accessdate=8 April 2014}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
! National team !! Year !! Apps !! Goals
|-
| rowspan="15"|[[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]
|-
|2002||5||1
|-
|2003||10||5
|-
|2004||8||3
|-
|2005||13||3
|-
|2006||11||5
|-
|2007||12||5
|-
|2008||3||1
|-
|2009||13||3
|-
|2010||7||1
|-
|2012||3||2
|-
|2013||2||0
|-
|2014||2||0
|-
|2015||2||0
|-
|2016||1||0
|-
! colspan=2|Total!!92||29
|}
====International goals====
<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/kaka-intlg.html "Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite “Kaká” – Goals in International Matches"]. RSSSF. Retrieved 28 June 2014</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="text-align: left;"
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || {{dts|format=dmy|2002|03|07}} || [[Cuiabá]], Brazil || {{fb|ISL}} || 6–1 || Win || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 2. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|07|19}} || Miami, Florida, United States || {{fb|COL}} || 2–0 || Win || [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003 Gold Cup]]
|-
| 3. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|07|19}} || Miami, Florida, United States || {{fb|COL}} || 2–0 || Win || 2003 Gold Cup
|-
| 4. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|07|23}} || Miami, Florida, United States || {{fb|USA}} || 2–1 || Win || 2003 Gold Cup
|-
| 5. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|09|07}} || [[Barranquilla]], Colombia || {{fb|COL}} || 1–2 || Win || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2006 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 6. || {{dts|format=dmy|2003|10|11}} || [[Curitiba]], Brazil || {{fb|URU}} || 3–3 || Draw || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 7. || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|04|28}} || [[Budapest]], Hungary || {{fb|HUN}} || 1–4 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 8. || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|10|10}} || [[Maracaibo]], Venezuela || {{fb|VEN}} || 2–5 || Win || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 9. || {{dts|format=dmy|2004|10|10}} || Maracaibo, Venezuela || {{fb|VEN}} || 2–5 || Win || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 10. || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|03|27}} || [[Goiânia]], Brazil || {{fb|PER}} || 1–0 || Win || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 11. || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|06|29}} || [[Frankfurt]], Germany || {{fb|ARG}} || 4–1 || Win || [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
| 12. || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|11|10}} || [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates || {{fb|UAE}} || 0–8 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 13. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|06|04}} || [[Geneva]], Switzerland || {{fb|NZL}} || 4–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 14. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|06|13}} || [[Berlin]], Germany || {{fb|CRO}} || 1–0 || Win || [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| 15. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|09|03}} || London, England || {{fb|ARG}} || 3–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 16. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|10|10}} || [[Stockholm]], Sweden || {{fb|ECU}} || 2–1 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 17. || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|11|15}} || [[Basel]], Switzerland || {{fb|SUI}} || 1–2 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 18. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|03|24}} || [[Gothenburg]], Sweden || {{fb|CHI}} || 4–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 19. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|09|12}} || [[Foxborough, Massachusetts]], United States || {{fb|MEX}} || 3–1 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 20. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|10|17}} || [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil || {{fb|ECU}} || 5–0 || Win || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)|2010 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 21. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|10|17}} || Rio de Janeiro, Brazil || {{fb|ECU}} || 5–0 || Win || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 22. || {{dts|format=dmy|2007|11|18}} || [[Lima]], Peru || {{fb|PER}} || 1–1 || Draw || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 23. || {{dts|format=dmy|2008|10|11}} || [[San Cristóbal, Táchira|San Cristóbal]], Venezuela || {{fb|VEN}} || 4–0 || Win || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 24. || {{dts|format=dmy|2009|06|06}} || [[Montevideo]], Uruguay || {{fb|URU}} || 4–0 || Win || 2010 World Cup qualifier
|-
| 25. || {{dts|format=dmy|2009|06|15}} || [[Bloemfontein]], South Africa || {{fb|EGY}} || 4–3 || Win || [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
|26.
|15 June 2009
|[[Bloemfontein]], South Africa
|{{fb|EGY}}
|4–3
|Win
|[[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
| 27. || {{dts|format=dmy|2010|06|07}} || [[Dar es Salaam]], Tanzania || {{fb|TAN}} || 1–5 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 28. || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|10|11}} || [[Malmö]], Sweden || {{fb|IRQ}} || 6–0 || Win || Friendly
|-
| 29. || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|10|16}} || [[Wrocław]], Poland || {{fb|JPN}} || 4–0 || Win || Friendly
|}
==Honours==
===Club===
;Milan<ref name="Profile"/>
*[[Serie A]]: [[2003–04 Serie A|2003–04]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[2004 Supercoppa Italiana|2004]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|2006–07]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2007 UEFA Super Cup|2007]]
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]
;Real Madrid<ref name="Profile"/>
*[[La Liga]]: [[2011–12 La Liga|2011–12]]
*[[Copa del Rey]]: [[2010–11 Copa del Rey|2010–11]]
===International===
;Brazil<ref name="Profile"/>
*[[FIFA World Cup]]: [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]]
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]: [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|2005]], [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]]
===Individual===
[[File:Kaka samba d or.jpg|thumb|Kaká holding the 2008 [[Samba d'Or]]|266x266px]]
* [[Bola de Ouro]]: 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/miscellaneous/bouro.htm|title=Bola de Ouro (Placar Magazine)|publisher=RSSSF|author1=Paulo Torres|date=12 December 2015|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Bola de Ouro|Bola de Prata]]: 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/miscellaneous/bprata.htm|title=Bola de Prata (Placar Magazine)|publisher=RSSSF|author1=Paulo Torres|date=12 December 2015|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[CONMEBOL|South American]] Team of the Year: 2002<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html|title=South American Team of the Year|date=16 January 2009|accessdate=10 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Best XI: 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/people/brazil/49/kak%C3%A1/profile|title=Kaká|publisher=Goal.com|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year]]: 2004, 2006, 2007<ref name="Guerin d'Oro">{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |title=Italy – Footballer of the Year |publisher=RSSSF |accessdate=6 February 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121013030/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/italpoy.html |archivedate=21 January 2015 |df= }}</ref>
* [[Serie A Footballer of the Year]]: 2004, 2007<ref name="Guerin d'Oro"/>
* [[UEFA Champions League]] top assist provider: [[2004–05 UEFA Champions League|2004–05]], [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|2011–12]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2004/statistics/round=1968/players/type=assists/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2004–05)|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/statistics/round=2000263/players/type=Assists/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2011–12)|accessdate = 8 March 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
* [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Midfielder|UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year]]: 2004–05<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=64775/profile/index.html|title=Kaká – UEFA.com Profile|publisher=UEFA.com|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Champions League]] Bronze Foot: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/statistics/round=2357/players/type=topscorers/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2005–06)|date = |accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
* [[UEFA Team of the Year#Team of the Year 2006|UEFA Team of the Year]]: 2006, 2007, 2009<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile"/>
* [[FIFPro World XI]]: 2006, 2007, 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006|title=FIFPro World XI 2005/2006|publisher=FIFPro|date=20 December 2013|accessdate=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007|title=FIFPro World XI 2006/2007|publisher=FIFPro|date=20 December 2013|accessdate=9 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2007-2008|title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2007/2008|publisher=FIFPro.org|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Pallone d'Argento]]: 2006–07<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ussi.it/2016/a-florenzi-il-pallone-dargento-coppa-giaime-fiumano/|title=A Florenzi il "Pallone d’Argento" Coppa Giaimè Fiumano|publisher=ussi.it|language=Italian|date=8 May 2016|accessdate=18 May 2016}}</ref>
* [[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League top scorers#European Cup and UEFA Champions League top goalscorer by seasons|UEFA Champions League top scorer]]: [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2006/statistics/round=2357/players/type=topscorers/index.html|title = Statistics — Tournament phase — Assists (2006–07)|date = |accessdate = 21 May 2015|website = UEFA.COM|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
* [[UEFA Club Football Awards#Best Forward|UEFA Club Forward of the Year]]: 2006–07<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile"/>
* [[UEFA Club Footballer of the Year]]: 2006–07<ref name="Kaká - UEFA.com Profile"/>
* [[Ballon d'Or]]: [[2007 Ballon d'Or|2007]]<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
* [[FIFA World Player of the Year]]: 2007<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[FIFPro World Player of the Year]]: 2007<ref name=":4" />
* [[World Soccer Awards|World Soccer Player of the Year]]: 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2-338433 |title=World Soccer Awards – previous winners |publisher=World Soccer |author1=Jamie Rainbow |date=14 December 2012 |accessdate=21 November 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629194202/http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2-338433 |archivedate=29 June 2016 |df= }}</ref>
* [[IFFHS World's Best Playmaker]]: 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iffhs.de/former-results/|title=FORMER RESULTS|accessdate=18 October 2015|publisher=IFFHS.de}}</ref>
* [[IAAF|IAAF Latin Sportsman of the Year]]: 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/jefferson-perez-is-voted-best-latin-american|title=JEFFERSON PÉREZ IS VOTED BEST LATIN AMERICAN SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR|accessdate=18 October 2015|publisher=International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)}}</ref>
* [[Onze Mondial|Onze d'Or]]: 2007<ref name="Onze Mondial Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|title="Onze Mondial" Awards: Onze de Onze 1976–2011|publisher=RSSSF|author1=José Luis Pierrend|date=6 March 2012|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]] [[List of FIFA Club World Cup awards#Golden Ball|Golden Ball]]: [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]<ref name="Kaká - FIFA Profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=184312/|title=Kaká – FIFA Profile|publisher=FIFA.com|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]] top assist provider: [[2007 FIFA Club World Cup|2007]]
* [[Time 100]]: 2008, 2009<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" />
* [[Estádio do Maracanã|Maracanã Hall of Fame]]: 2008<ref name=":6" />
* [[Samba d'Or]]: 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psg.fr/en/News/101001/Breaking-News/69470/Three-Parisians-in-top-10|title=Samba d'Or 2014: Three Parisians in top 10|publisher=PSG|date=2 January 2015|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[Marca Leyenda|MARCA Legend Award]]: 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/10/19/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1255979045.html|title=Kaká recibe el MARCA Leyenda|trans-title=Kaká receives the MARCA Leyenda|publisher=Marca|language=Spanish|author1=JOSÉ LUIS CALDERÓN|author2=MIGUEL A. GARCÍA|date=19 October 2009|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] [[FIFA Confederations Cup 2009#Awards|Golden Ball]]: [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]]<ref name="Kaká - FIFA Profile"/>
* [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] [[FIFA Confederations Cup 2009#Awards|Best XI]]: [[2009 FIFA Confederations Cup|2009]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/confederationscup/southafrica2009/news/newsid=1077991.html|title=Users pick Top 11|work=FIFA.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association|date=30 June 2009|accessdate=30 June 2013}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup]] top assist provider: [[2010 FIFA World Cup statistics#Assists|2010]]<ref>[[2010 FIFA World Cup statistics]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/2010/wc10statistics.html|title=Statistics|publisher=Planet World Cup|accessdate=15 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/groups_and_teams/team/brazil/kaka|title=Kaka 2010 FIFA World Cup BBC Profile|publisher=BBC|accessdate=13 January 2016}}</ref>
* A.C. Milan Hall of Fame: 2010<ref name="A.C. Milan Hall of Fame" />
* [[Major League Soccer All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[2015 MLS All-Star Game|2015]], [[2016 MLS All-Star Game|2016]], [[2017 MLS All-Star Game|2017]]<ref name="AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster">{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/18/sebastian-giovinco-kei-kamara-among-22-players-named-2015-att-mls-all-star-g|title=Sebastian Giovinco, Kei Kamara among 22 players named to 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game roster|publisher=Major League Soccer|date=20 July 2015|accessdate=26 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="Villa, Pirlo and Kaka headline MLS All-Star squad to face Arsenal"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/bradley-giovinco-represent-tfc-mls-star-game/|title=Bradley, Giovinco to represent TFC at MLS All-Star game - Sportsnet.ca|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=2017-07-21|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star Game MVP]]: [[2015 MLS All-Star Game#|2015]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlssoccer.com/all-star/2015/news/article/2015/07/30/all-star-entire-post-game-celebration-turned-love-fest-mvp-kaka|title=All-Star: The post-game celebration turned into a love fest for 2015 MVP Kaká|work=MLSsoccer.com|author=Arielle Castillo|date=30 July 2015|accessdate=26 October 2015}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Team of the Year#UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year|UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year]]: 2015 (substitute)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2201679.html|title=Ultimate Team of the Year: The All-Time XI|publisher=UEFA|date=22 November 2015|accessdate=25 November 2015}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120430214117/http://www.lfp.es/Temporada/FichaJugador.aspx?cj=8110 Kaká at La Liga]
* [https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=184312/index.html 2010 FIFA World Cup profile]
* {{NFT player|1013}}
* {{FIFA player|184312}}
* {{BDFutbol|12427}}
* [http://www.football-lineups.com/players/player.php?route=23 Tactical Profile] – Football-Lineups.com
* [http://www.legaseriea.it/en/players/kaka-/0KAKA Profile at LegaSerieA.it]
* [https://www.tuttocalciatori.net/Kaka_Ricardo_Izecson Profile at TuttoCalciatori.net] {{it}}
* {{Soccerway|ricardo-izecson-santos-leite/146}}
* {{MLS player|kaka}}
{{Navboxes colour
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|bordercolor = black
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{2002 Bola de Prata}}
{{2006 UEFA Team of the Year}}
{{2007 UEFA Team of the Year}}
{{2009 UEFA Team of the Year}}
{{Bola de Ouro}}
{{Ballon d'Or recipients}}
{{Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year}}
{{Serie A Footballer of the Year}}
{{FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}}
{{FIFA World Player of the Year winners}}
{{World Soccer Footballer of the Year}}
{{FIFPro awards}}
{{UEFA Club Footballer of the Year}}
{{UEFA Club Football Awards}}
{{UEFA Champions League top scorers}}
{{IFFHS World's Best Playmaker}}
{{FIFA Confederations Cup awards}}
{{Samba Gold}}
{{MLS All-Star Game MVP}}
}}
{{Navboxes colour
|bg= #FBEC5D
|fg= #008000
|title= Brazil squads
|list1=
{{Brazil squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Brazil squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaka}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
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[[Category:Brazilian emigrants to Italy]]
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[[Category:FIFA Confederations Cup-winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup-winning players]]
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[[Category:World Soccer Magazine World Player of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Ballon d'Or winners]]
[[Category:Brazilian evangelicals]]
[[Category:Brazilian expatriate footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Brazilian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:People from Federal District (Brazil)]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of supra-national bodies]]
[[Category:Full Sail University alumni]]
[[Category:World Food Programme people]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League winning players]]' |
