La Liga: Kaka’s absence is an opportunity in disguise for his team mates
If we rewind back to the year 2005, Kaka was a relatively lesser known name in football. That is until the UEFA Champions League final of 2005. A match between Liverpool and A.C Milan, a match that is still considered by many as the greatest European final ever witnessed, a match that announced Kaka’s arrival on the global football stage.
Even though Milan lost the 2005 UEFA Champions League final to Liverpool despite leading the match at half time by three goals to nil, Kaka’s reputation as the next big thing in European football was already cemented. From 2005 onwards, Kaka was in a class of his own as he led A.C Milan to the UEFA Champions League crown in the 2006-2007 season. Kaka and Milan on their way to the final match of the competition knocked out Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Kaka singlehandedly kept Milan in the competition through his brilliant performance against United at Old Trafford and San Siro. In the final match of the tournament against their old rivals Liverpool, the Brazilian midfielder was instrumental again as Milan won the match by two goals to one.
Even though Kaka was born in Brazil, he is not your typical Brazilian footballer. He has the strength and determination of a European born and trained footballer but the skills and technique of a Brazilian. This gives him an edge over his rivals because not only is he blessed with the character of a disciplined Englishman but also has the flair of a South American.
His skill set and determination are a unique product of natural football talent and its nourishment in Milan’s senior side alongside experienced footballers like Maldini, Pirlo and Seedorf. However, ever since Milan’s Champions League triumph in 2007, Kaka’s performances have been descending to new levels. In the summer of 2009, Kaka was sold by Milan to Real Madrid for 68.5 million Euros. The deal between Milan and Madrid made Kaka, the most expensive footballer ever in the history of football for a short period of time till Ronaldo’s eighty million pound move to Madrid came through from Manchester United.
After an abysmal first season in Spain with Real Madrid and a disappointing FIFA World Cup with Brazil, Kaka’s reputation as one of the best in football has taken a massive hit. Recently, following the conclusion of the World Cup, Kaka has undergone a knee surgery after it was revealed that the Brazilian playmaker was playing with an injured knee during the World Cup.
However, Kaka’s injury might be a blessing in disguise for his fellow team mates at Real Madrid, will be looking to prove themselves to Jose Mourinho, the club’s newly appointed manager. Kaka is scheduled to be out of action for around four months. This means that previously out of favour Van Der Vaart could be in contention for a first team spot come start of the season for Madrid. Another player who will be looking to benefit from the Brazilian’s absence is Sergio Canales. Canales is a young Spanish attacking midfielder, who made his debut for Madrid in their recent pre-season tour of U.S.A. Canales will be well aware of the pressure that comes with replacing one of the best players in the world, only time will tell whether the young Spaniard will be up to the task of filling in the large shoes left by Kaka.
Other stars in the squad will also have to step up for Madrid, if they need to compete against Barcelona throughout the season. Four months absence for Kaka means that Real Madrid will be without his services for almost half of the Spanish League season. Thus major responsibilities fall upon players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso, to not only score more often but also create for their team mates’ as well.
Madrid’s new signing Sami Khedira will also be under pressure to make up for their star midfielder’s absence. He will be expected to reproduce the same form that saw him rise to fame with the German national team during the World Cup. All in all, Kaka’s prolonged absence has given rise to several opportunities for his team mates to write their names in Real Madrid’s illustrious history, by guiding them to their first league triumph in three years.
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