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Kaká, real name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, (born April 22, 1982 in
Brasília) is a Brazilian football (soccer) player who currently plays for
A.C. Milan in the Italian Serie A. He wears the number 22 shirt for the
club.
He got his nickname "Kaká" because his little brother Rodrigo could not
pronounce the word Ricardo when they were young. Rodrigo called his older
brother "Caca" which Ricardo later changed to "Kaká".
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He made his debut at Săo Paulo FC in 2001 while he was only 19 years old. He
scored 12 goals in 27 appearances and a further 10 goals in 22 appearances
the following season. He attracted attention from European clubs and it was
Milan who won the race to sign him.
Kaká joined Milan in 2003 for an € 8.5m fee, his first appearance coming in
a match at Ancona, which Milan won 2-0. In all, he scored 10 goals in 30
appearances that season, winning the Italian Serie A Championship and the
European Super Cup.
He was an integral part of the team in 2004/2005, usually playing in a
withdrawn role behind striker Andriy Shevchenko in a five man midfield. He
scored seven goals in 36 league appearances, winning the Italian Super Cup.
However, the team failed domestically, losing the Serie A title to Juventus,
and losing the UEFA Champions League final to Liverpool on penalty kicks.
Making his international debut in January 2002 against Bolivia, he was in
Brazil's squad at the 2002 World Cup, but did not see much action as Brazil
took the World Championship. He played just 19 minutes of a first round
match against Costa Rica. Later, he was also in action at the 2004 Copa
América and the 2005 Confederations Cup, which were both won by Brazil. The
Confederation Cup final won by Brazil over Argentina saw him scoring for the
Seleçăo. More recently, he has helped Brazil qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
Kaká has matured as a player and is currently considered one of the best
Brazilian footballers.
His greatest goal is considered to be the one he scored against Fenerbahçe
SK in AC Milan's first game in the 2005/2006 Champions League; won 3-1 by
the Rossoneri. Kakŕ started his run from midfield and skipped past three
tackles before entering the area and finishing with a low shot under the
goal-keeper. Kaká finished in joint tenth place in voting for the 2004 FIFA
World Player of the Year award, in the 2005 competition he finished two
places higher. He was also voted the best midfielder in the UEFA Champions
League tournament of 2004/2005, and ended up ninth on the 2005 Golden Ball (European
football player of the year) standing earning 19 votes.
His younger brother Rodrigo (Rodrigo Izecson Dos Santos Leite - known as "Digăo")
followed in his footsteps and is currently on loan to Serie B team Rimini,
after having spent some time in the AC Milan youth squad.
Profile
Full name Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite
Nickname(s) Kaká
Date of birth April 22, 1982
Place of birth Brasília, Brazil
Current club A.C. Milan
Position(s) Attacking Midfielder
Youth club(s)
Professional club(s)*
2001-03
2003-05
Current season: Săo Paulo
A.C. Milan
2005-06 58 (23)
66 (17)
2002- Brazil |
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KAKA PICTURES |
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MOST POPULAR
Angelina Jolie
Jessica Alba
Paris Hilton
Scarlett Johansson
Jessica Simpson
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Lindsay Lohan
Shakira
Beyonce
Hilary Duff
ADDITIONS
Miley Cyrus
Rihanna
Hayden Panettiere
Miranda Cosgrove
Selena Gomez
Demi Lovato
Vanessa Hudgens
Ashley Tisdale
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