ORLANDO, Fla. – Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday with virtually every major soccer honor under his belt – but with the aim of achieving even more in MLS.
Ricardo, otherwise known as Kaká to fans worldwide and ‘Ricky’ to Orlando City SC teammates and head coach Adrian Heath, may have turned a year older but there is no inkling of winding down in any way.
“I am 33 years young, not 33 years old!” he remarked to reporters after the Lions' training session on Wednesday. “Yes, this is another phase of my career, but my target is still to win with this team and be a part of the history of this club.
“I still have a lot of things to do [in this game] and I have a lot of life left, and I am really enjoying playing in another league and with new teammates.”
Kaká has been inundated with birthday greetings from far and wide, including many fans and former teammates at AC Milan, and he is grateful for the vast array of well-wishers.
“It is very nice when I can see all this on social media,” he insisted. “It is something special to see all the birthday wishes from Milan, and also a lot of friends, teammates and former teammates.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise as the Brazilian star has proved massively popular wherever he has been, chalking up 393 appearances with Sao Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid and now Orlando. He remains open and affable off the field, but there is a sense of steely determination when asked about his mission in Florida.
“After three months here, I am gaining confidence all the time,” he said. “From what I have seen, I think we can be a very good team, and while I know there is pressure on me to do well and help the team, it is a good pressure. It is motivation for me.
“The biggest surprise for me, though, has been how competitive it is here, how with every game you never know what is going to happen. You can’t afford not to be consistent every week as every team is tough and every game is a fight.”
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The competitiveness of MLS aside, Kaká also admits he is a different player now from the teenager who first appeared for Sao Paulo in the Brasileirão in 2001.
“Now I am more mature, more experienced,” he added. “I know my body much better and how to look after it. I have my special training therapist before games as I know how important it is to stay in shape. For me, the most important thing is not to get injured and this has been the thing that has worked best for me in the last few years.”
The final question of the day was possibly the most pressing for the media – will he be having any birthday cake? “Not now, but when I get home!” he laughed.
Simon Veness covers Orlando City SC for MLSsoccer.com.
