On January 31, 2002, he made his first senior appearance for Brazil national team against Bolivia in a friendly match. On 27 September 2011, Kaká experienced one of his best matches as a Real Madrid player during a 3–0 victory over Ajax in the 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. In addition to his individual awards, between 2006 and 2009 he was named in both the FIFA World XI and the UEFA Team of the Year three times. His football career almost ended at the age of 18, when he had a swimming pool accident, which caused a spinal fracture. He led Milan to win the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final and was the tournament's top goal scorer. [124][125] He came second in the Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month poll for his performances in March. Kaká is one of the most popular Brazilian stars of his generation and that has helped him reap lucrative gains over the last decade. [10] One of the world's most famous athletes during his playing career, Kaká was the first sportsperson to amass 10 million followers on Twitter. [82] Kaká was later chosen the best player of the Champions League Matchday. [151] Kaká announced on 11 October 2017 that he would not be renewing his contract with Orlando City for the 2018 MLS season. [134] 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 2–1; Kaká was named MVP of the match. [11][12] Off the field, Kaká is known for his humanitarian work, where he became the youngest ambassador of the UN World Food Programme in 2004. In its 2013 ceremonies, a Bola de Ouro was given to Dirceu Lopes, holder of the best 1971 grade. In 2006 he was part of the "magic quartet". Kellyanne Conway Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Faly Rakotohavana Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Juliana Spicoluk Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Austen Rydell Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Mathew Knowles Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Noah Lomax Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Lauren Cimorelli Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Rapper Russ Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Franko Fraize Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Scott Stuber Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Stella Donnelly Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Anna Paquin Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics, Being FIFA world player of the year for 2007, Being one of the best-attacking players in his pomp. Kaká participated in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, wearing the number 10 shirt, marking his first international tournament since the 2006 World Cup. He finished with two shots, one corner and two fouls drawn. "[195][196][197] 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, Kaká was a quick, agile, hard-working, highly skilful and creative team player with great pace, ball control, movement, and balance, capable of dribbling past defenders in one on one situations as well as during counterattacks. Real Madrid were also knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona in the semi-finals of the competition. 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. "[80] 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. [103][104], In June 2014, it was reported that Kaká had entered into advanced discussions with Orlando City to join the team in January 2015 when they enter Major League Soccer (MLS). [95][96] He was also made the vice-captain upon his arrival. He was also nominated for the 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. [51], —Pelé on Kaká after he was named the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year. His base salary was US$6.6 million per year. "[86] 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 Osasuna on 12 January 2013. Sign In. [108] 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.