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Champions League Debate: Top 5 Kaka Moments At Milan

Tonight, Kaka will play against old side Milan for the first time since leaving them for Real Madrid in the summer. Goal.com re-publishes Carlo Garganese's summer article looking at the Brazilian’s Top 5 moments during six superb years at San Siro…

Oct 21, 2009 2:00:47 PM

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Kaka, Milan (FIRO)

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5) The Debut Season

When Kaka arrived at Milan in 2003 from Sao Paulo for €8.5 million, he was still something of an unknown quantity. The Rossoneri were reigning European champions, and possessed one of Europe’s best playmakers in Manuel Rui Costa. The 21-year-old was only expected to be a backup to the Portuguese creator, but soon he had pushed the former Fiorentina man onto the bench.

Kaka & Serginho

Kaka had a stunning debut campaign, scoring 10 times in Serie A as Milan won their only Scudetto of this decade. The youngster was also named as Serie A Footballer of the Year to crown a wonderful debut campaign.

4) That Goal Against Fenerbahce

Arguably the greatest goal of Kaka’s Milan career took place during the 2005/06 season. Milan were tied 1-1 with Fenerbahce at San Siro during their Champions League group game clash with less than five minutes remaining. Kaka then started a move in his own half, dribbled past three opponents with frightening slalom-paced speed, before thumping a low drive past the goalkeeper at his near post.

Kaka scored a similar goal against Celtic in 2007

3) Golden Ball, FIFA World Player & Club World Cup Champion

December 2007 was a great month for Kaka. The Brazilian won the prestigious Ballon D’Or, was named FIFA World Player of the Year, and crowned a perfect year by lifting the Club World Cup, as goals from Pippo Inzaghi (2), Alessandro Nesta, and Kaka himself defeated Boca Juniors 4-2 in Japan.

Kaka holds aloft the Ballon D'Or

2) Champions League Winner At Last - 2007

Kaka was not at his brilliant best in this Athens final, with Javier Mascherano following him closely, but the Brazilian was still hugely instrumental in Milan’s 2-1 win, as he finally got his hands on the Champions League, enacting revenge on the freak 2005 collapse against Liverpool in Istanbul.

Kaka falls to his knees at the final whistle

The former Sao Paulo man won the free kick for Pippo Inzaghi’s deadlock breaker, and then skilfully provided the inch-perfect through ball for the veteran Italian to finish off Liverpool eight minutes from time.

Pippo & Ricky celebrate the game-killing second

Kaka cleaned up the Champions League awards, finishing top-scorer, and being named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.

1) Champions League Semi Final Destruction Of Manchester United

The greatest moment of Kaka’s Milan career was undoubtedly the 2007 Champions League semi-final against Manchester United. The Red Devils were hot favourites in the tie due to the Rossoneri’s indifferent domestic season, but Kaka had other ideas.

Vidic has no answer as Kaka blasts home

The Brazilian completely overshadowed anonymous rival Cristiano Ronaldo, putting on a master display in the first leg at Old Trafford, scoring twice, the second after bamboozling three United players. In the return leg at San Siro, Milan thrashed their opponents 3-0 to book their place in the final. Kaka again shone in the pouring rain, volleying home the opener from the edge of the area.