Brazil star hangs up his boots

Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 18: Former Brazilian World Cup champion Kaka announced his retirement as a player, suggesting that a management career at his old club AC Milan could be on the cards.

“I am preparing to continue in football and to have a different role, but I will no longer be a professional player, an athlete,” the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner told Globo television.

“I would like to take part in a club in a role more like... A manager, a sporting director — someone between the field and the club.”

Kaka, 35, said AC Milan “recently made this proposal”.

On his Twitter feed, devout Christian Kaka, who was part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup- winning team, wrote: “Father, It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus’ name. Amem.”

He started his storied career with Sao Paulo in Brazil, where his performances attracted the attention of Europe’s leading clubs and prompted a move to Milan in 2003.

It was while at Milan that Kaka picked up the Ballon d’Or, awarded annually to the world’s best player. He was the last player other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to receive the prize.

He also helped the Italian side to a Serie A title in 2003- 04 and propelled Milan to 2007 Champions League glory, scoring a competitionbest 10 goals as the club were crowned kings of Europe for the seventh time.

The hugely talented attacking midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record transfer worth 68 million euros ($ 89 million), but Kaka struggled to consistently reproduce his top form in the Spanish capital.