Kaka'

Being a creative midfielder in the Brazilian national team has always required extraordinary footballing gifts. Kaka's exquisitely elegant footwork and keen eye for goal make him the genuine article. As he matures as a player and adds ever more strings to his bow, commentators argue over who he most resembles, comparing him to such living legends as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Rai and Zico. Some even feel he is the answer to Brazil's prayers for a new Pele. Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain: Kaka is a star in on the rise, and burning brighter by the day.

Born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite in Brasilia on 22 April 1982, Kaka exploded on to the scene with Sao Paulo in 2001 before moving to AC Milan two years later. Despite his meteoric rise to fame, he has lost none of his renowned humility or generosity. If anything, it is the contrary. A proud Christian with a deep love for the gospel, Kaka is a long-time member of the Athletes For Christ organisation and was named as an Ambassador Against Hunger by the United Nations World Food Programme in 2004.

Direct and ruthlessly effective when he chooses to be, Kaka can also turn on the style and dribble with the best of them. In his time at Milan, he has grown into an assured playmaker capable of turning a game in the blink of an eye. He is adept at coming off the bench and making an instant impact, as he has shown for Brazil on numerous occasions in the qualifiers for Germany 2006. And do not be fooled by his slim build and baby face. The 23-year-old is a past master at using his body effectively and is not one to shirk a tackle even when facing stronger opponents.

Though not yet a guaranteed starter in the Seleção, Kaka is a mainstay in the squad and, in the eyes of the Brazilian media, the player most likely to pull the strings for the Verdeamarelha in the years to come. He made his full debut on 31 January 2002 in a friendly against Bolivia. Prior to that, he had played for the country's U-20 side at the FIFA World Youth Championship Argentina 2001, scoring the winning goal against Australia in the second round.

Then, at the age of 20, Kaka had the privilege of being part of the Brazilian squad that became world champions for the fifth time at Korea/Japan 2002. Although his playing time was limited to just 19 minutes in a 5-2 win over Costa Rica, he is still grateful to have been there. "How many players wait their whole lives for a chance to take part in the World Cup and never make it? Not only did I go to one and play, I also came back as world champion," he said with a maturity beyond his years.

It is the same maturity he has shown ever since he made his first division debut with Sao Paulo in 2001, when he helped the club to victory in the Rio-Sao Paulo Tournament with 12 goals in 27 games. In 2002, he was voted Brazil's top player, an accolade that put him firmly in the sights of Europe's top clubs. Milan won the ensuing race for his signature in 2003, and he wasted no time in repaying the faith in him with an assured performance in Milan's UEFA Super Cup triumph that same year. On arriving in Europe, Kaka promised to "combine Brazilian fantasy with the tactical discipline of the Calcio". So far, he has more than kept his word.

Courtesy of the Fifa Website