The Milan schemer has established himself as one of the world's finest young talents and despite still being in the fledgling stages of his career, Kaka could prove to be one of the more illuminating sights in Germany.
"He is the only player in the world who can score that type of (solo) goal"
Carlo Ancelotti
Kaka was born on April 22, 1982 in Brasilia but his career was nearly over before it began when a diving accident left him with a vertebra fracture. Thankfully, if Kaka is to believed, Jesus intervened and allowed his full recovery - in an incident that cemented his strong religious faith.
To mark his belief in God the rangy midfielder points his fingers to the sky whenever he scores, a regular occurrence ever since he broke in to Sao Paulo's senior side as a 19-year-old in 2001.
His debut campaign in Brazil's top flight yielded 12 goals in 27 appearances, before the cream of Europe's elite came calling the following campaign after a further ten strikes in 22 appearances.
A bargain ‚é¼8.5 million move to Italy in 2003 saw the inexperienced playmaker swap his homeland for the cosmopolitan air of Milan and at the Rossoneri, Kaka's graceful movement and cunning vision has become instrumental to the club's success.
Kaka's eye for goal, despite the fact he often prompts from quite deep positions, continued in his first season at Milan as he found the goal an impressive 10 times in 30 starts - in the process adding the Serie A title and European Super Cup to his trophy cabinet.
The following season saw Milan twice cast as bridesmaids as they finished second to Juventus domestically and in Europe there was heartbreak too, as Liverpool famously came from three goals down at half time to win the UEFA Champions League on penalties.
Disappointment was softened somewhat by the personal accolades that came his way, with performances in European action securing him the top midfielder award, with Kaka finishing ninth in the voting for the 2005 Golden Ball award.
Heading in to the World Cup, Kaka has again impressed for his club and although Juventus sit pretty at Serie A's summit, Milan have impressed on foreign forays in the Champions League.
Despite his tender years Kaka already possesses a World Cup winners' medal after featuring for Brazil in their successful 2002 campaign. Although playing just 19 minutes of a group game against Costa Rica, Kaka has nevertheless held aloft the coveted trophy and will be eager to do so again in the summer.
Kaka's international career began against Bolivia in 2002 and ever since he has flourished, playing in the Copa America in 2004 and a year later, scoring in the Confederations Cup win over Argentina.
Off-the-field and Kaka alternates his time between acting as an Ambassador Against Hunger (for the World Food Programme) and being the face of Armani Jeans.
