Brazilian star Kaka announces retirement

World
Europe

One of the football greats of this generation has retired as former AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has hung up his boots. The 35-year-old Brazilian, who won the 2002 World Cup among numerous other achievements, has decided to call it a career after finishing his recent season with MLS club Orlando City.

Kaka played his final match as Orlando's season ended in October, and in November was reportedly offered a director role at Serie A club AC Milan. He is one of only eight players to win the treble of the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or.

On his Twitter feed, Kaka, a devout Christian, wrote: "Father, It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I'm now ready for the next journey. In Jesus' name. Amem. (sic)"

Screenshot from Twitter

A graceful midfielder, Kaka won 92 caps for Brazil, scoring 29 goals and featuring at three World Cups. Kaka was 21 when Milan brought him to Italy from Sao Paulo. He was part of the team that won the 2007 Champions League final against Liverpool, and scored 95 goals across all competitions for the Rossoneri.

Kaka joined Real Madrid for 67 million euros in 2009, winning the Copa del Rey in 2011, and adding the league title a year later. Having struggled with a series of knee injuries, Kaka returned to Milan for one season in 2013 before leaving for Orlando the following year.

CGTN Photo

However, Kaka said his transition off the pitch wasn't being taken for granted.

"The fact of having had successes as a professional player does not mean I will or won't be a good manager. So I want to prepare myself for this going ahead, to study, to follow, to be closer to certain clubs, especially those where I played," he told Globo television.

Kaka had played with Orlando City since the team's first MLS season in 2015 and scored the team's first ever goal. In November, media reports said he had been considering a move to Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng in the Chinese Super League.

(with input from AFP)