Kaka Reflects on Challenging Four-Year Spell at Real Madrid, Cites Mourinho's Tactics and Ronaldo's Influence Brazilian football icon Kaka has opened up about his four-year tenure at Real Madrid, acknowledging the mixed legacy he left behind at the club. The former Ballon d’Or winner, who joined Madrid in 2009 after his iconic 2007 triumph with AC Milan, admitted that many fans now regard his time at the Santiago Bernabeu as one of the club’s most significant transfer missteps. Despite his reputation as a world-class player, Kaka struggled to replicate his former form in Spain, facing both personal and professional challenges that shaped his experience. Kaka’s arrival at Real Madrid was met with high expectations, but his time in Spain was marked by frustration rather than success. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, the 44-year-old revealed that he felt overshadowed by the club’s star-studded roster and the evolving tactical demands under manager Jose Mourinho. “My time at Real Madrid was very complete. There were personal and professional aspects. I arrived from Milan as the best player, and if you look now at Real Madrid’s worst signings, I’m first along with Hazard,” Kaka said, highlighting the stark contrast between his initial reputation and the eventual perception of his tenure. The arrival of Mourinho in 2010 further complicated Kaka’s integration into the team. The Portuguese manager’s preference for a physical, direct style of play clashed with Kaka’s technical attributes, pushing him to the periphery of the squad. Kaka described the competitive environment as grueling, with emerging talents like Gareth Bale and established stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema dominating the starting lineup.#real_madrid #cristiano_ronaldo #jose_mourinho #florentino_perez #kaka
Brazil Legend Admits to Being One of Real Madrid’s Worst Signings Kaka, the Brazilian football icon, has openly acknowledged his time at Real Madrid as one of the most challenging periods of his career, calling himself one of the club’s biggest transfer disappointments. The former AC Milan star, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2007, joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-record €67 million fee, joining a star-studded squad that included Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Despite the high expectations, Kaka’s four-year stint at the Santiago Bernabeu was marked by injuries, fierce competition, and personal struggles, leading him to reflect on his time with brutal honesty in a recent interview with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. When Kaka arrived at Real Madrid, the club had invested heavily in him as part of its ambitious plan to dominate European football. The Brazilian, fresh off his historic win in Italy, was expected to become a central figure in the team’s success. However, his time at the club did not unfold as anticipated. Kaka admitted that injuries plagued his career during his time in Madrid, limiting his ability to consistently perform at his best. Additionally, he faced intense competition for starting positions, particularly under the management of Jose Mourinho, who favored other players such as Gareth Bale, Mesut Özil, and Karim Benzema. Kaka described the challenges he encountered during his tenure, stating that Mourinho’s decisions significantly impacted his opportunities. “My problem at Madrid was, firstly, injuries, and secondly, the manager’s decisions,” he said. “Mourinho preferred other players: Özil, Di María, Benzema, Cristiano… There I was. All of us were fighting for two spots in the starting eleven. He opted for other players.#real_madrid #cristiano_ronaldo #jose_mourinho #karim_benzema #kaka
