Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaka, born 22 April 1982, is a Brazilian football player who currently plays for Real Madrid and the Brazilian National Team. He began his footballing at the age of eight, when he started matching for a local club. By then, he also played tennis, and it wasn't until he moved on to Sao Paulo and signed his first professional contract with the club at the age of fifteen that he choose to still live on football. In 2003 he joined AC Milan for a free of 8.5 Million Euro. While at Milan, Kaka won the Balloon d'or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2007. In addition to his contributions on the pitch, Kaka is known for his sociality work. In 2004, by the time of his appointment, he became the youngest ambassador of the United Nation's World Food Programme.Kaka signed a contract at fifteen and led the Sao Paulo youth squad to Copa de Juvenil glory. 2005-2006 viewed Kaka score his first hat-tricks in domestic competition. On 9 April 2006, he scored his first Rossoneri hat-trick against Chievo, all 3 goals were scored in the second half, that's time where he joined AC Milan. Andriy Sevchenko's departure to Chelsea for the 2006/07 season allowed Kaka to become the focal point of Milan's offense as he alternated between the midfield and striker positions. Kaka added the Champions League tittle to his trophy case for the first time. He signed a contract extension through 2013 with Milan on February 29, 2008.
Kaka initially responded by telling reporters he wanted to grow old at Milan and dreamed of captaining the club one day.On 8 June, Milan and real Madrid confirmed Kaka has moved to the Bernabeu on a six year deal.
Kaka started in his first FIFA World Cup finals in 2006 and scored his first and only goal of the match in Brazil's 1-0 victory over Croatia in Brazil's opener, for which he was named Man of the Match. Kaka is a member of the Organization Atletas de Cristo (Athletes of Christ). Kaka's favourite music is gospel, and his favourite book is the Bible. Kaka is a follower of the evangelical Rebirth in Christ Church. He was sworn in as an Italian citizen on 12 February 2007. Kaka's best friend is Chivas USA midfielder and fellow Brazillian Marcelo Saragosa.
