MLSsoccer.com’s Orlando City SC beat writer Simon Veness sat down with Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, otherwise known as Kaká, for a wide-ranging interview about the Designated Player’s new life in America. In Part 1, which ran last week, the OCSC star touched on North America's sporting culture and his adjustment to MLS.
Part 2 takes a bit of a different tack, going in-depth with the former AC Milan and Real Madrid man about his life away from the field.
There are stars, there are superstars and then there is Kaká. Which isn’t to say he’s not a superstar – try telling that to his 23 million Twitter followers, or the 31 million who ‘like’ him on Facebook. It's just that he doesn’t conform to most sporting celebrity stereotypes.
You won’t find him in the VIP area of nightclubs; he’s not likely to be surrounded by personal security; he doesn’t point to his name when he scores (although he might ID a teammate, as in his tribute to the injured Kevin Molino earlier this season); and he does not come with a PR ‘handler’ or agent.
Instead, there is a refreshing sincerity and eagerness to talk soccer; a candid air of being totally at ease; a rare comfort level that is nearly always accompanied by a smile; and a complete lack of guile, as in you never feel he is pushing any personal agenda. He is the anti-celebrity, in many respects, albeit a hugely well-paid one who garners enormous professional respect.
It is an impression gained from six months of seeing the 33-year-old at close quarters so far this season.
He's sitting in the players lounge at City’s well-provisioned training facility in rural Seminole County, 20 miles north of downtown Orlando and several light years from any celebrity hype.
As usual, Kaká was among the first in the gym prior to the full two-hour training session at 8 a.m. Today’s session concludes with a game of soccer tennis, with Kaká teaming up with fellow Brazilian Pedro Ribeiro against Portuguese duo Estrela and Rafael Ramos.
City’s star man is also doing regular media interviews this morning to talk about his AT&T MLS All-Star Game inclusion, and then it’s back to the gym to cool down – which takes a lot of doing in Florida in July – before accepting an award from a local radio station.
Finally, he is free to sit and talk, his words punctuated by the fierce table tennis match waged by young full back Tyler Turner and backup goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. in the background.
But is this image of the anti-celebrity the correct view of a man who is a worldwide sporting icon?
“Yes, it is a correct view because I try to be normal off the field,” Kaká confirms. “Because everybody thinks that in my place as a ‘celebrity,’ we are all superstars. Sure, sometimes we want to be, but what I am trying to do is show that although my talent is as a soccer player, off the field, I am a normal person.
“Sometimes I am sad, sometimes I am happy. But every time that I can have this open relationship with the supporters, that I can show them I am a normal person, I think that is the way I should try to live, in an easy and open way.”
It might sound corny coming from many sports stars, but when Kaká talks about his ‘relationship’ with the fans, it has the smack of sincerity, mostly because he is often the one still signing autographs an hour or more after games.
But is that genial, easygoing persona just him, or is there more to it?
“It is definitely a part of me but it is also about my faith,” he says. “I think everything that I love, everything that I have won is a gift from God. I just want to say ‘Thank you’ to Him.
“Every time I score, I show my hands to the sky. It is to say ‘Thank you’ for the opportunity to do what I love to do, and reminds me that I need to be humble. If God takes away the talent, I am just a normal person, and that’s good. It is an important thing to remember.”
It is a simple statement about his faith that might make a cynic wince, but resonates soundly with many of his teammates.
“Aurelien [Collin] and I talk about this a lot, because we share a lot of the Bible and we have a lot of other things, belief-wise,” Kaka explains. “And it is not just Aurelien, there are other players who all have the same belief system and share what we do.
“Here in America, a lot of the culture comes from basic Christian family beliefs and education. So we can all share our thanks in person with God, and that’s good.”
Religion aside, there is still no escaping the recognition whenever he ventures into the heart of Tourist Central in Orlando’s theme park wonderland. It’s not quite at Madrid or Milan levels, but it’s certainly on the increase.
“Yes, when I go out, sometimes they recognize me,” Kaká admits. “The Brazilians always do, and many from the Latin countries, and sometimes the Americans now,” he laughs. “But I am okay with that.
“Every time I have some friends or family visiting us, we go to the parks. I just put on my cap and sunglasses and say ‘Let’s go!’ It’s very good to have such family-friendly attractions right close by and we definitely take advantage of them, both Disney and Universal.”
Kaká refuses to say which park they prefer most, but with his son Luca, seven, and daughter Isabella, only four, it’s fair to assume Disney gets most of their attention.
“Luca’s favorite ride is Rock ‘n’ RollerCoaster, and we also do Tower of Terror a lot,” said Kaká, his 'daddy' cap firmly on. “I ride the teacups with my daughter, but I have done all the rides, including the big ones of The Hulk and Dragon Challenge at Universal. Oh, and Rip Ride Rockit. That’s quite a ride!”
Orlando is certainly a long way from the frenzy of some of the league's bigger markets, but then that is how Kaká likes it. He’s had his share of the big-city spotlight in Madrid and Milan, where the soccer culture borders on fanaticism. And while The City Beautiful has quickly become an American hotbed for the sport, he can exist quite happily without the constant microscope of turmoil and passion.
He still wants to play for Brazil – “for sure” – and he still believes his first straight red card (at Real Salt Lake last month) was “unfair,” although he steadfastly refuses to criticize the official. “It was his decision and you’ll never see me speaking bad things about the referee.”
More importantly, he is firmly focused on getting the Lions into the postseason in their inaugural MLS year, a feat he still thinks is perfectly possible.
“Yes, this team has the ability and the belief,” he insists. “I don’t see any reason why Orlando can’t be in the playoffs.”
Finally, where does he see himself in a few years’ time? Is this his final soccer destination, or will there be more on the horizon?
“Personally and professionally, I don’t think about the future just yet,” he says. “I have two and a half years here yet and then we will see. After two more years I will be 35, and I need to see what will be my motivation and how my body is going to answer those experiences.
“At this moment, my body is telling me very good things. I haven’t had any injuries for a long time and I play most of the games. I can play a full 90 minutes and I am very happy with that.”
And with that, Kaká heads back to his family and the possibility of another trip to the theme parks. Who knows – in three years’ time the city may well be known for something other than Disney & Co., and a lot of that could be thanks to its Brazilian anti-celebrity.
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