Profile:Name: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite
Nationality: Brazilian
Date and Place of Birth: April 22, 1982 in Brasilia, Brazil
Position: Midfielder
Current Club: Real Madrid (La Liga)
Previous Clubs: Sao Paulo (2001-2003), AC Milan (2003-2009)
International Career: 2002 to present
Short Bio: The player got his nickname "Kaka" because his younger brother Rodrigo could not pronounce the name Ricardo. He called him "Caca" instead, and this soon transformed into "Kaka". Many Brazilian greats have emerged from a background of poverty, but Kaka's story is not one of rags to riches. Born into a middle-class family, he was blessed with the financial stability to concentrate on school and soccer at the same time.
He began his career with Sao Paulo at the age of 8 and after impressing in the youth ranks, signed a contract at 15. Kaka achieved double figures in the two seasons following his debut at 18, and was soon attracting interest from around the world. AC Milan won the race for his signature, signing the player for a fee of US$10.2 million in 2003. Despite his tender age - Kaka was just 19 - he was in the starting line-up within a month. His 10 goals in 30 appearances that season helped the club to their last Serie A title.
Kaka made his senior Brazil debut in January 2002 against Bolivia. He was included in the victorious World Cup squad, but featured for just 25 minutes, with the likes of Ronaldinho and Rivaldo preferred. His other two honours have come in the form of two Confederations Cups in 2005 and 2009. Kaka has matured into a respected senior squad member, his prime characteristics of strength, skill and pace representative of the current Brazilian style of play. He did not score at the 2010 World Cup as Brazil succumbed to Holland in the quarter-finals. Although he showed glimpses of his old self, many critics were left to conclude that they had seen the best of Kaka in a Selecao shirt.
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