At 32, the former World Player of the Year has made his second return to the Selecao, and this time he's intent on sticking around
The headlines surrounding Dunga’s Brazil squad for the Gillette Brasil Global Tour of Asia this month were
undoubtedly dominated by Kaka, who returned to the Brazil squad after 18 months away from international football.
The former Fifa World Player of the Year is now 32 and brings with him the experience of three World Cup campaigns. As the Selecao begin a new era following the disappointment of a semi-final exit to Germany earlier this year, the technical staff are intent on finding the right blend of youth and experience.
It had appeared as if Kaka was not on Dunga’s radar – at least not until last week, when he made a shock return as a late replacement for injured Cruzeiro forward Ricardo Goulart. Not that token return is not enough for Kaka, who instantly signaled his intent to stick around long-term.
"I am aiming to continue to play well, fit in and consistently find myself as part of the squad. The call-ups [under Dunga] have been consistent and if I fit in and serve the group then that would be very welcome,” he said upon his arrival in China.
“To represent Brazil is always a pleasure, a privilege, a prize. This has happened at a time when I've been playing well for Sao Paulo, playing regular games.”
Kaka's international return has arrived just months after he decided to call time on a nine-year stay in European football, where he rose to the top of the sport for AC Milan before a record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid.
He won the World Cup with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil in 2002 and was named as Fifa’s World Player of the year in 2007 after leading Milan to a Champions League title. He was also a key member of the Selecao’s 2006 and 2010 World Cup squads.
“Kaka has always been an idol to me, and it's good to see that he is back in the national team. He’s a guy that everybody admires off the field, and we expect him to be a huge help to all of us,” said Oscar this week.
A large part of that admiration stems from Kaka's devotion to his faith. A devout Evangelical Christian, time and again he has celebrated the biggest moments of his career by lifting his shirt to reveal the slogan "I belong to Jesus."
"In my whole life, Jesus is in first place," he said earlier this year in a video entitled 'I am Second'. "That's why I put that inside my cleats because that is how I think."
An idol, a reference - words most frequently used to describe Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, who earned his nickname from his infant brother’s mispronunciation of his Christian name.
He signed for soon-to-be MLS side Orlando City in June but has returned to home to Sao Paulo until the end of the year while he awaits the start of his American adventure.
And he has been one of the stars of the Brasileirao starred after helping Muricy Ramalho’s side through a stumbling start, forming the fulcrum of a fluid and rampant frontline alongside Alan Kardec and former Selecao stars Alexandre Pato and Paulo Henrique Ganso.
Kaka made his international debut back in 2002 against Bolivia and was drafted into Scolari’s World Cup squad, his sole appearance in the competition arriving when he replaced Rivaldo in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over Costa Rica.
He displayed his leadership qualities the following year as he led Brazil’s Under-23 to a runners-up medal in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Come Germany 2006 he had established himself as a Brazil regular and formed part of Carlos Alberto Parreira’s ‘Magic Square’ alongside Ronaldinho, Adriano and Ronaldo, but an imbalanced Selecao would suffer a quarter-final exit.
His best international football was undoubtedly played during Dunga’s first spell in charge of the side, between 2006 and 2010. Kaka became emblematic of the ruthless, dynamic counterattack that led to so much success until a shock defeat to Nertherlands ensured another quarter-final exit.
Mano Menezes replaced Dunga as boss and Kaka was left out in the cold as the new man looked to lead Brazil’s transition into a more possession-based side, introducing the new generation led by Neymar.
Kaka would have to wait two years to represent the Selecao again, as he suffered a loss of form and an unfortunate spate of injuries following his move to Real Madrid.
Menezes gave him his chance against Iraq in a striker-less attack similar to the one currently being implemented by Dunga. Kaka scored in a 6-0 victory and followed it up with another in a win over Japan – Brazil’s opponents on Tuesday.
But Mano's dismissal soon after appeared to have ended Kaka’s Selecao career for good as Scolari could find no room for him as Brazil prepared for World Cup 2014.
But now he has returned once more. And, at 32, he believes he is stronger than ever. "I'm much better, physically, technically and tactically,” Kaka told the press at the Intercontinental Hotel in Beijing.
“Today I can read the game much better on the field, and I have the maturity and experience that I have and did not have before.”
Now he must prove it. He’s done it before. And if there’s one thing Kaka doesn’t lack, it’s faith.
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