June 8th 2009 – the official announcement between Milan and Real Madrid came which said that the two clubs had reached an agreement on the transfer of Kaka. The fee agreed was €65 million – the 2nd most expensive signing in the history of football AT THE TIME. This was going to be a superb marriage.
It was supposed to be the beginning of a new era at the Spanish capital. Kaka came to Madrid the same summer as Cristiano – this was supposed to be the world’s most dangerous duo. Yet, these two rarely were on the same pitch with one another. The Brazilian was the first Galactico in Perez’s second project and later came Cristiano for a monster transfer fee. 4 years later, no questions are asked about the price tag of Ronaldo. 201 goals for Real Madrid and still going strong. Kaka on the other hand, provided no value to the money Real Madrid spent on him. The €65 million AC Milan player slowly turned into a player that reportedly Real Madrid were ready to let go for free. Yes, thats how bad 4 years were. Thats how bad it was. €10 million per year for Kaka – not deserved.
1st year with Manuel Pellegrini – 33 appearances and 9 goals. Full of injury problems throughout the year and this is all where it really began. Kaka was never fully at his best because of injuries.
2nd year -This was perhaps the most disappointing season of Kaka’s career. 2010 FIFA World Cup was upon us and the already injured man still made his way there for Brazil. The result? Coming back to Madrid in need of knee surgery, missing several months under Jose Mourinho’s debut season at Real Madrid. 20 Appearances – 7 goals
3rd & 4th year – Kaka achieved the most personal success during his 3rd year at Real. He made a grand total of 40 appearances as Real Madrid lifted La Liga. Still far from his Milan best, it was the best Real Madrid could get from him.
No one can talk down on Kaka’s work ethic these years though. Mourinho, during his time at the Spanish capital, even admitted that Kaka is working harder than ever during his career. He’s even skipped preseason friendlies to continue taking individual sessions with trainers to reach his peak level again. So far, its come to no avail.
Now, we’re at the beginning of the 2013/2014 season. Kaka: “I want to leave Real Madrid before Monday. It is better for both me and the club.” There’s no doubt that Kaka will leave Real Madrid as one of the biggest flops in history, unfortunately. He cost Real Madrid a load of money throughout the 4 seasons he’s been with us. But where did it all go wrong? Was it his nagging injuries? Was it his price tag laying too much pressure on him? Was Cristiano’s success too much and completely left Kaka in his shadow? Or was it that Real Madrid never “gave him a chance”? No one will really know exactly why Kaka costed Real Madrid so much, yet he did so little.
It’s been an up and down ride, Kaka. We as Madridistas wish you the best in your future endeavors and hope you can someday, show glimpses of the talent you once were – the €65 million AC Milan wonderkid. Real Madrid will be glad to finally reach a solution in letting Kaka go, but its far from the marriage Kaka, Madridistas, and Real Madrid had hoped for.
Twitter: @WeAreMadrid10
