Kaká
Kaká
Brazilian midfielder, Kaká, is known as one of the best soccer players in the world. Throughout his flourishing career, his faith and Christian walk has been a constant reminder that God is in control. Here’s a look at his inspiring life and why he puts God first.
Humble Beginnings
Humble Beginnings
Born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, in the capital city of Brazil, many were aware of his talents at an early age.
A teacher from school called his parents one day and told them that they should consider taking him to soccer lessons. His parents listened and by the age of eight, he joined the Sao Paulo soccer club and moved up the ranks to become a leading soccer player by the age 15.
Interesting fact: the name Kaká was given to him by his younger brother, Rodrigo, who had difficulty pronouncing his birth name. Rodrigo gave him the nickname “Caca,” which would eventually transform to “Kaká.
Giving God the Glory
Giving God the Glory
Kaká would credit his full recovery to God and from that point on, pledged his life as a Christian. In showing gratitude to God for saving his life and career, anytime he scores a goal during his soccer matches, he points his two index fingers to the sky as a public sign of appreciation.
He also brandishes shirts that say “I belong to Jesus,” and engraved his soccer cleats with the phrase, “Jesus in First Place.”
Two Goals that Changed His Life
Two Goals that Changed His Life
A year after his injury, Kaká returned to the soccer field at age 18 as a member of Sao Paulo’s senior squad. Many questioned his place on the team, but his professional debut would be astounding, scoring two goals in two minutes in a match against Botafogo, giving the Sao Paulo team a win.
His impressive talents would continue to shine in his rookie career, scoring 12 more times over the span of 27 games. In 2001, his team would take the Torneio Rio-Sao Paulo title and a year later, the most prestigious title in soccer history, the World Cup.
More Victories to Come
More Victories to Come
In 2003, Kaká moved to a new team, signing a contract with AC Milan, and his soccer career escalated. He garnered several awards over his time in Italy including Champions League Best Midfielder in 2005 and The Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2006.
2007 would be the year he became as a soccer phenomenon, named the top scorer in the league and honored as the World Soccer Player of the year. He also took the title of FIFA World Cup Best Player, FIFA World Player of the year, and European Footballer of the Year.
No Fear
In 2009, Kaká moved forward with another soccer team, Real Madrid, in Spain. Injuries persisted and plagued his time there, resulting in surgery, but Kaká showed no fear. In a recent documentary with I Am Second , Kaká explains how his faith allowed him to overcome injuries and other difficult times.
“I never imagined reaching the place that I reached and conquering the things that I’ve conquered,” he says. “There have been difficult moments; especially the moments of injury because you’re not in a situation where you can do many things…but I learned to live each day… always waiting, knowing that God has the daily bread and having faith that things can change at any moment,” he explains.
Jesus in First Place
Jesus in First Place
“How do we live in the soccer world? We are always competing against one another and all of that,” Kaká explains. “It matters a lot who is first, who wins. So in one of those moments of meditation on God’s word, looking…something stayed with me, Jesus in first place,” he states.
“Because even though I am playing against others, and it is important to get there and win, I believe that Jesus is much more important than all of that," he says. "In my whole life, Jesus is in first place.”
