FORMER BRAZIL AND AC Milan star Kaká has announced his retirement from football, aged 35.
The attacker enjoyed an immensely successful career in Europe and later in the United States, winning the World Cup, Champions League, Serie A, La Liga and the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award.
The player spent the last three seasons playing in MLS for Orlando City, making 75 appearances, however left the club at the end of the current season, taking to Twitter to announce his retirement on Sunday.
He said: “Father, It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Kaká enjoyed the most successful period of his career in Italy where he won the 2004 Serie A title and later the Champions League three years later, beating Liverpool in Athens in 2007.
Father,
— Kaka (@KAKA) December 17, 2017
It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus name. Amem.
Pai,
Foi muito mais do que eu pedi ou imaginei!Obrigado! Eis-me aqui para próxima jornada. Em nome de Jesus. Amém. pic.twitter.com/PofZBAV0BE
He was also a member of the Brazilian side which claimed the 2002 World Cup in Japan & South Korea, later playing in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups in Germany and South Africa.
Kaká left Milan in 2009 to join Real Madrid for a reported €68 million after winning the 2007 Ballon d’Or ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Despite Copa del Rey and Liga Liga titles in successive seasons he made just 85 appearances during four injury-plagued seasons in the Spanish capital.
The playmaker returned to Milan in 2013 before later spells at hometown club São Paulo and Orlando, with his final appearance for Brazil coming in a 2-0 friendly win against Panama in May 2016.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
