Our former saviour, Kaka

This week sees the return of our former king, our former saviour, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite otherwise known as Kaka. Little was known about the boy wonder from Brazil when Milan signed him back in 2003. But he soon made himself known with some spectacular performances in the Champions League and that wonder goal against Empoli in his first season with the club. By helping Milan win the scudetto in 2004, Kaka established himself as a star of the game. In 2005, he star continued to rise as he helped Milan to the final of the Champions League only for Milan to lose in rather tragic circumstances.

By the 2006-07 season, Milan were a side that was growing heavily reliant on the brilliance of the Milan number 22, and Kaka duly obliged as he turned in some world class performances and scored some vital goals, most memorably in the Champions League semi final against Manchester United. Kaka showed that he really was the saviour of Milan when in the 2007 season he guided our great club to success in the Champions League and redemption against the same Liverpool side that broke Milan hearts in Istanbul two years earlier. So pivotal were Kaka’s performances in the 2006-07 that he was awarded the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

What is more, however, was Kaka’s love and loyalty to the Rossoneri. A model professional in so many ways Kaka repeatedly declared his love for the club and his desire to stay for the rest of his career. So much so that when Kaka was sold to Real Madrid and given Milan’s apparent financial crisis at the time, it was clear that the player was forced to leave in order for Milan to receive some much needed cash in return. For even when he arrived in Madrid, the player re-emphasised his affection for Milan by saying that he was still Milan’s biggest supporter.

It was script worthy of a fairytale. The young and unknown boy wonder arriving at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Despite the presence of Rivaldo and Rui Costa, he forged his way into the team and seemingly overnight he developed into the best player in the world. He helped Milan find redemption in Athens in what was arguably one of the greatest nights in the club’s history. He was adored by fans and respected by everyone. But the ending was not akin to that of a fairytale and today Kaka sees himself playing in Spain for another great club Real Madrid.

It has not been long but Kaka is already set for a return to Milan in two days time for the Champions League tie with Real Madrid. It will be a very emotional evening for Kaka and everyone associated with Milan. To see our former King take the field of the San Siro for the opposition will be hard to watch. But as grateful fans, I hope that he is shown the respect that such a player deserves and I am sure he will be. For Kaka was once our star, our king. He gave so much to Milan and for this I hope that he receives the homecoming reception worthy of a hero.

Click here for a tribute to Kaka