Milan go cuckoo for Kaka

By Richard Whittle

When Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite arrived at AC Milan in the summer, few expected the midfield player to make an instant impact. Just two months into the season and Kaka, as he is known, has taken Serie A by storm to such an extent that Milan's established playmakers, Rui Costa and Rivaldo, have had to settle for supporting roles.

Transfer coup
The name Kaka may not yet be as familiar to the wider football public, but Milan are confident they have completed the transfer coup of the season as vice-president Adriano Galliani explained: "We have chased him for a long time. He could have gone to Chelsea [FC] and earned a lot more but he chose to come here."

Patient approach
In fact, former Rossoneri star Leonardo, now on the Milan staff, had been working diligently behind the scenes for two years, laying the foundations for his fellow Brazilian to move to the San Siro. "Leonardo played alongside him at São Paolo FC and built a good rapport with the boy," confirmed Galliani. "He told us we should buy him and since last spring he has been in constant contact with him and it's turned out well."

Berlusconi praise
So well, in fact, that the 21-year-old produced a man-of-the-match display in the recent derby win over Internazionale FC where he scored and dominated proceedings in a free role behind the strikers. Leading the praise after that performance was none other than club president and Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who said: "Kaka is a youngster of undeniable talent."

Instant hit
That talent can be seen in his excellent close control, blistering pace and an uncanny knack of being two moves ahead of anyone else. Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini and Falcão had such qualities in abundance but each took at least a season to settle in Serie A. Not so Kaka, who was expected to be loaned to a Serie B side this campaign.

Great start
"Things could not have gone better. I have settled in really well and it's a great club to play for," he said. "I get on well with my team-mates and have a good feeling with the fans. To score my first goal in Italy in the derby was wonderful, not only for the game but because it was shown back in Brazil."

Immense potential
Unassuming off the pitch as he is vivacious on it, the son of a primary teacher and engineer is far too modest to mention that he has always risen to the big occasion, scoring his first São Paolo goal in a derby against Santos FC and it is this down-to-earth attitude that has impressed the senior players at Milan. Captain Paolo Maldini commented: "I played with him for the Rest of the World against Real Madrid [CF] and saw what potential he had. He is young and still learning and there is no better place than here to learn your trade."

'We cannot hold him back'
It is this professionalism that should protect Kaka from the excesses of stardom but even Galliani could not hide his admiration when he declared: "He has what it takes to be the world's best player. We cannot hold him back." Kaka, however, remains unfazed, saying: "I am not doing anything out of the ordinary, I am just starting my adventure in Europe and will continue to do my best for the team." A star in the making maybe, but seemingly one with his feet firmly on the ground.