Legendary star Kaka works for AC Milan as scout, report

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Serie A's AC Milan gave 2007 Ballon d'Or winner, former Brazilian superstar of soccer Kaka a scouting assignment, the team he has played for six seasons, to bring Lucas Paqueta from Brazil's Flamengo to San Siro, according to Football Italia.

A week earlier, the team's sporting director Leonardo Araújo confirmed that Kaka would return to work for Milan "Kaka will be tied to us because of the relationship that's there. There's no precise role, but he'll be tied to us because he's indelibly linked to the history of Milan. Kaka is the most recent Ballon d'Or in Rossoneri history, and I think that with the way he managed his career he also represents the style of the club," said Leonardo.

Kaka received Ballon d'Or award in 2007 and reached the peak of his career with AC Milan. /VCG Photo

In 2003, the then 21-year-old, Kaka joined AC Milan from São Paulo and reached the peak of his career while helping the club achieve one Serie A champion, one Supercoppa Italiana title, one UEFA Champions League trophy, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup title.

Paqueta, 21, is a left-footed midfielder and he can play multiple positions in the midfield including both attacking and central ones. With skillful ball-handling techniques and a strong body at 1.8 meters in height, he is seen by many to have locked a spot in Brazil's national squad four years later in Qatar.

Multiple Europran soccer clubs, incluidng some of the best, are interested in Lucas Paqueta. /VCG Photo

AC Milan is not the only team interested in Paqueta. La Liga's Barcelona and Ligue 1's Paris Saint Germain (PSG) are both reportedly considering signing the promising young man. Paqueta's contract with Flamengo will end in 2020, but according to Football Italia, there is a release clause of 57.9 million US dollars in his contract.

In this chase for Paqueta, AC Milan enjoys the advantage of having multiple Brazilian players that have achieved success with the team and Kaka is the best example. Besides, Leonardo has played for Flamengo, meaning he may have connections with the club. However, if the competition comes to money, AC Milan may be the first one out in front of Barcelona and PSG.

(Top picture: Kaka watching the Serie A game between AC Milan and Roma on August 31 /VCG Photo)