Kaka

Move over Rivaldo

Brazilian Kaka (R) vies for the ball with Paraguayan Denis Caniza (L) during the South American qualifying round match, 31 March 2004 in Asuncion, for the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. AFP PHOTO/Vanderlei ALMEIDA

Few in Europe were familiar with the name Kaka when at 21-years-old he signed for AC Milan in 2003 but when the Brazilian immediately displaced both Rivaldo and Rui Costa to claim a place in the first-11 people sat up and took notice.

Going into the 2006 World Cup, Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira says Kaka, who played in 15 of the 18 qualifiers, is one of only two names, along with Ronaldinho, automatically scribbled on his team sheet.

Brazilian soccer player Kaka (Ricardo Leite) talks with the team coach Carlos Alberto Parreira 13 November 2003 during a training sesion in Teresopolis, 130 km to the north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The national team will face Peru on November 16 in Lima and Uruguay on the 19th in Curitiba in the South American qualifiers for the 2006 Fifa World Cup Germany. AFP PHOTO/ANTONIO SCORZA

Kaka ocupies the right of midfield for club and country but his talents are multifold. He can boast explosive pace, flawless technique, magical dribbling and clinical finishing, making hime one of the games most complete players.

He was born in Brasilia in April 1982 with the full name of Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite, but has gone by thr name Kaka ever since his baby brother had trouble pronouncing Ricardo.

Having grown up tall and slim, 1.82m for 73kg, another of his golden assets is his durability, as he is rarely injured.

Mr. Dependable

In his debut European season after a 9 million euros move from Sao Paulo, 10 Italian league strikes from 30 matches helped AC Milan to the championship in 2004.

Valerio Bertotto (L) of Udinese tries to stops AC Milan's Kaka (R) during their Serie A football match at the Friuli stadium in Udine, 25 April 2004. AFP Photo/ Carlo BARONCINI

They had also been on track for Champions League glory before a lazy performance saw them crash out to Deportivo La Coruna. Kaka however had complimented his football education with 10 games and four goals in the world's premier club competition.

Milan should also have won the Champions League in 2005 when leading Liverpool 3-0 in the final only for the dogged English to scrap back to 3-3 and an eventually win on penalties.

But again Kaka's contribution had been colossal. He played 36 league games and all 13 Champions League ties that season.

AC Milan's midfielder Kaka of Brazil celebrates after acoring a goal against Siena during their italian serie A football match in Milan, 10 September 2005. AFP PHOTO / CARLO BARONCINI

He made his international debut in 2002 and did enough that year to secure a place in the squad that went to the Japan-Korea World Cup at just 20, making however just one substitute appearance as Brazil won their fifth World title.

By 2005 when Brazil won the Confederations Cup in Germany he was an established, key member of the national side and remains so as they prepare an assault on a sixth World Cup, many expect them to win.

Kaka married his 18-year-old girlfreind Carolina Celico in December shortly after prolonging until 2010 his contract with AC Milan, where in 2005-06 he has again played the vast majority of their matches and scored even more goals than ever.