Kaká inducted into AC Milan Hall of Fame

Brazilian football legend, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, popularly known as Ricardo Kaká, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Italian giant club, AC Milan

Kaká, who spent seven seasons at Milan, was moved to tears when he was added to the club’s Hall of Fame on Saturday. He was honoured for his appearances and several achievements at the club, racking up a total of 307 appearances and scoring 104 goals.

The Brazilian was presented with the recognition before the Serie A match between Milana nd archrivals, Inter Milan, at the San Siro stadium, in front of his admirers. The elegant playmaker also recreated his iconic goal celebration, pointing both index fingers towards the sky while jogging.

Ricardo Kaká recreates his iconic goal celebration. A fast attacking midfielder with an effortless, gliding running style arrived at Milan in 2003 after his amazing success with São Paulo, where he scored 22 goals in 49 games.

Signed for a reported fee of €8.5 million, the late club owner at the time, Silvio Berlusconi, described the fee as “peanuts,” according to a 2009 publication by the Sydney Morning Herald. At Milan, Kaká won the Serie A title, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

The Brazilian was instrumental in helping Milan lift the Champions League in 2007 against Liverpool in Athens, after netting a brace against Manchester United in the semi-final. He was later crowned the Ballon d’Or winner in 2007, finishing ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Milan and Liverpool had previously met in the 2005 Champions League final, dubbed ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ when Liverpool came from three goals behind to eventually win on penalties. During his active career, Kaká also won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007, and the La Liga and Copa del Rey titles with Real Madrid.