Times have definitely changed in Milan in a very short space of time. Last season our captain and player for 25 years, Paolo Maldini played his last game ever for Milan against Fiorentina and the next day our beloved Ancelotti was appointed as manager of Chelsea.

We, the fans, could only pray and hope that our favourite, our star Kaka, would stay. In times gone by, Milan has always been able to keep its players, after all there is not much further a player can go after being with a club like Milan.

But times are different now at the Milanello. Times are tough and uncertain. Financially the club is struggling and because of this the club was unable to keep its star player, Kaka.

Now with the saga well and truly ended I thought it appropriate to pay tribute to one of Milan’s greatest ever players, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite.

Milan signed Kaka from Sao Paolo for the 2003-2004 campaign. Reigning European champions at the time Milan signed Kaka for just 7.2 million euro and what an acquisition he proved to be. On his debut he provided two assists for Shevchenko and scored his first Milan goal in the derby against Inter.

With the likes of Rui Costa and Rivaldo in the side many, fans alike, were skeptical about whether we needed to sign another attacking midfielder. But, Kaka made such an impact in his first season that he was awarded the ‘Oscar del Calcio’ (Serie A player of the year). With Kaka’s performances taking Serie A by storm, Milan claimed the Scudetto that same year. In the Champions League Milan were surprisingly knocked out by Deportivo at the quarter final stage after claiming a 4-1 win in the first leg at the San Siro. In this first leg tie, Kaka came of age in the Champions League scoring a beautiful goal on the volley from a Cafu cross whilst also claiming a second.

The following season (2004-2005), Kaka helped Milan to the final of the Champions League and his 7 goals in domestic competition gave Milan the runners-up spot in Serie A. During this season Kaka, employed in a more withdrawn role, formed a lethal partnership with the Ukrainian. Although Milan dramatically failed to lift the European Cup in the final, Kaka was voted the best midfielder of the tournament.

The 2005-2006 season saw Kaka claim his first domestic hat-trick. On 9 April 2006 against Chievo Kaka came out in the second half to score three goals. Later on in this campaign Kaka would go on to score arguably his best goal for the Rossoneri in Milans’ opening match against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. Kakà started his run from midfield and skipped past three tackles before entering the area and finishing with a low shot under the goal-keeper. This campaign showed Kaka at his finest although unfortunately Milan did not win anything that season. Kaka ended the season with 5 goals in the Champions League and 14 goals in Serie A.

The 2006-2007 season was undoubtedly Kaka’s finest season of all. Most notably, led by Kaka Milan gained redemption in Athens against the Liverpool side that claimed victory against the Rossoneri in 2005. Kaka single-handedly destroyed Manchester United in the semi final scoring two goals in the first leg and claiming another in the return leg. Kaka also scored a number of wonder goals in this campaign (See video). Though he did not score in the final, Kaka proved pivotal in defeating Liverpool winning the free kick that led to Pippo’s opener and then providing the assist for Pippo to slot in the second.

Kaka scored a total of 10 goals in this champions league winning season for Milan. For his performances throughout this season Kaka claimed the FIFA World Player of the year award and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year along with a host of other personal awards including the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

The 2008 season was entirely different from 2007. Although Milan claimed the European Super Cup and also the title as the best club in the world following their success in the World Club Cup, domestically and in Europe Milan struggled. Milan even failed to qualify for the Champions League and did not make it past the second round against a talented but naive Arsenal side. Kaka claimed a highly respectable 15 goals in Serie A. Kaka was once again played an influential role in Milan’s win at the World Club Cup, handed the Toyota award for player of the tournament.

By 2009, the side was really starting to age with fresh blood needed but not provided. Milan sadly took part in the UEFA Cup and failed to make an impression losing to eventual Champions Werder Bremen in the early knockout stages. Following the near exit of Kaka to Manchester City, six months later when the transfer campaign was reopened Milan let Kaka join Real Madrid for economic reasons ending Kaka’s professional relationship with Milan.

One cannot question Kaka’s commitment to the Rossoneri. He seemed intent on staying at the club and even hinted at becoming captain one day. Unfortunately, the conditions at Milan did not allow for Kaka to stay and I for one am of the view that the club, in dire need of financial capital forced Kaka’s sale.

The Brazilian was with the Rossoneri for six seasons and in this time he showed himself to be one of Milan’s greatest ever players. He helped Milan reach two champions league finals claiming one, a European Super Cup, a Scudetti and the World Club Cup. He was a highly effective attacking midfielder who had a canny for scoring wonderful goals and crucial goals. His displays in the Champions League were outstanding and his single handed demolition of Manchester United in the semi finals against Manchester United in 2007 will live long in memory. As well as the final celebrations after Milan defeated Liverpool much thanks to the Brazilian’s brilliance.

As painful as it was to see our maestro leave, we as fans should wish him the best of luck for his new adventure in the Spanish capital. We can only show gratitude to Kaka, a true professional in every sense with a faith that most of us can only envy.

Arivderci Kaka