Kaka set to join Maldini as Milan official

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Kaka will return to AC Milan in September to learn the ropes as a club director, according to technical director Leonardo.

Kaka, 36, spent two spells at Milan as a player and said when he retired in December, after three seasons with Orlando City, that he had already been approached by the club for a new role.

Speaking at the presentation of former teammate Paolo Maldini as sporting strategy and development director, Leonardo said he had invited Kaka back to the club to commence the next chapter of his career.

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“He has made it clear that he wants to learn to become a director,” Leonardo said. “He’s my pupil and I adore him, and he will always have a bond with this club. He’s got a lot of desire and he will be in Milan in September.

“There’s nothing planned yet, but he will come here to learn — for free.”

Milan are bidding to bring back their glory days after Elliott Management gained control once Li Yonghong defaulted on a debt repayment last month.

Leonardo’s appointment was the first step taken to bring in people who understand the club’s history and values, with Maldini — who spent his entire 25-year playing career with Milan — the latest.

Former general manager Marco Fassone and sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli were sacked by the club two weeks ago.

“Leonardo and the ownership showed me the project and I believe in it,” Maldini said. “I am really happy. Leonardo has been fundamental. People make the difference: We are friends, we are different, but we’ll fit together. We know the subject and we know the club.”

Maldini, who said the agreement came together quickly, said he will be entrusted with various aspects of the club’s business, from working with the first team and the academy to managing the transfer market.

“I feel the pressure of the role and the responsibility,” he said. “It’s great to be back. A club needs a solid ownership and this is a solid ownership that wants to keep the club for a medium-long period of time. I today start my management career. I hope to achieve great results. I couldn’t ask for better people to work with than those I have by my side today.”

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Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Kaká has been described on the FIFA website as having the “capacity to glide almost effortlessly past opponents, provide defence-splitting passes and score consistently from distance.”

During his prime at Milan in the mid to late 2000s, and prior to the injuries he suffered at Real Madrid which affected his mobility, he was a quick, agile, highly skilful and creative team player with great pace, ball control and balance, capable of dribbling past defenders in one on one situations as well as during counterattacks. Regarding Kaká’s speed and elegance on the ball, in 2017, Karl Matchett of Bleacher Report stated:

“His gait, particularly when in possession, was mesmeric. Reasonably unusual in stature for a playmaking midfielder at a little over six feet tall, Kaká could still turn and accelerate past a defender in the same way the smaller, low-centre-of-gravity No. 10s would manage—but that same elegant, long-legged stride made him unstoppable on the run.”

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Tim Vickery of ESPN wrote, “Kaká running forward with the ball had the power of a freight train. He married power with finesse”, but on the impact of his knee and groin issues at Madrid, added, “once his acceleration had been reduced, he lacked the subtlety to shine as before.”

Kaká was also renowned for his vision and passing ability, enabling him to create chances for teammates.[209] Having performed predominantly as a playmaking attacking midfielder throughout his career, he was known for being capable of scoring goals as well as creating and assisting them.

A versatile player, he was also deployed in several other attacking positions throughout his career, performing as a winger on either flank,as a supporting forward, and on occasion as an outright striker, or even in a deeper role as a midfieldplaymaker. In addition to these characteristics, Kaká also possessed a powerful and accurate shot from both inside and outside the penalty area, with either foot; he was also an accurate penalty taker

 

 

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