Kaka

Kaká, real name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, (born April 22, 1982 in Brasilia) is a Brazilian football (soccer) player, who currently plays for A.C. Milan of the Italian Serie A.

Related Topics:
April 22 - 1982 - Brasilia - Brazilian - Football (soccer) - A.C. Milan - Serie A

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He started out at São Paulo FC, making his debut for them in 2001 while he was only 19 years old. He scored 12 goals in 27 appearences and a further 10 goals in 22 appearences the following season. Soon he attracted a lot of attention from European clubs and it was Milan who won the race to sign him.

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Kaká joined Milan in 2003 from São Paulo FC, making his debut in a match against Ancona, in which Milan won 2-0. In all, he scored 10 goals in 30 appearences that season, winning the Italian Serie A Championship and the European Super Cup.

Related Topics:
Ancona - European Super Cup

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The next season, he went one better; by then he was an integral part of the team, usually playing in a withdrawn role behind striker Andriy Shevchenko in a 5 man midfield. He scored 7 goals in 36 appearences, winning the Italian Super Cup. However, the team failed domestically, losing the Serie A title to Juventus, while losing the UEFA Champions League final to Liverpool on penalty kicks.

Related Topics:
Andriy Shevchenko - Italian Super Cup - Juventus - UEFA Champions League - Liverpool - Penalty kicks

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He was in Brazil's squad at the {{Wc|2002}}, but did not see much action as Brazil took the World Championship. Later, he was also in action at the {{Ca|2004}} and the 2005 Confederations Cup, which were both won by Brazil. Next, he will be helping Brazil in qualifying for the {{Wc|2006}}. Afterwards, he has really grown as a player and is currently considered one of the best Brazilian footballers. In 2004, Kaká was joint 10th in FIFA World Player of the Year award, and is on target to better this in 2005. In 2005 Kaká was voted the best midfielder in the UEFA Champions League tournament of 2004/2005.

Related Topics:
Brazil - 2005 Confederations Cup - FIFA World Player of the Year - UEFA Champions League

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