Elegance at Full Speed

The Legend of the Number 10

In Brazilian football, the number 10 jersey carries immense weight. This tradition dates back to 1958, when a 17-year-old Pelé wore the shirt at the World Cup and captivated the world. With incredible dribbling, unparalleled vision, and a plethora of goals, he led Brazil to the world title. He would go on to win two more World Cups wearing the number 10, forever cementing his status as the King of Football.

Since then, the number 10 jersey has come to represent the complete player: the one who creates, decides, organizes the team, and leads. Not just anyone gets to wear this shirt. Over the years, it has graced the backs of some of Brazil's greatest ever players – Rivellino, Zico, Raí, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar… only true legends.

Between Elegance and Explosiveness: The Rise of Kaká

In the 2000s, one player took on this heavy mantle and made it look effortless. He possessed a unique style: balancing control with explosiveness, elegance with power, creativity with decisive action. He was the last Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or and is remembered as one of the most important midfielders in football history. His name is Kaká.

When Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, known as Kaká, signed with AC Milan in 2003 at just 21 years old, few imagined that this slender, smiling youngster would leave such a profound mark on history. He was already talented, of course. Developed by São Paulo, he always stood out for his ability to deliver almost impossible passes, burst forward with speed, and still get into scoring positions.

Yet, his career almost ended before it began. A swimming pool accident resulted in a serious spinal fracture. Football very nearly lost one of its greatest talents. He made a full recovery but was told he was physically frailer and developed slower than other players. Even so, he never stopped evolving. He transformed fragility into faith, and doubt into fuel.

In the very year of his professional debut, he decided the Rio-São Paulo Tournament final, coming off the bench and scoring two goals in two minutes against Botafogo. It was already clear he brought something different to the pitch.

The following season, Kaká continued to deliver performances of the same caliber, playing with a maturity that belied his age. Calm and elegant, yet fast and unpredictable, he was a true spectacle – and it wasn't long before AC Milan came calling. Encouraged by compatriot Rivaldo, Kaká joined the Italian club, where he would play alongside other Brazilians like Cafu, Serginho, and Dida.

Under the Italian Lights: The Consolidation of a Maestro

At Milan, he adapted quickly. Within about a month, he became a starter in a midfield packed with giants like Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Rui Costa… only legends. But even at such a young age, he earned the trust of coach Carlo Ancelotti and took command.

What he achieved in Italy was truly cinematic. Voted Serie A's Best Player in his very first European season, Kaká proved that the potential he showed at São Paulo would be realized at Milan. He created, he finished, he assisted, he decided big games. Everything flowed through him. 

With Kaká as the protagonist, Milan won Serie A, Super Cups, the Club World Cup, and the Champions League in 2007 – still the club's last. He was decisive from start to finish in the tournament, scoring against Celtic, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United. His second goal against United is still remembered as one of the most beautiful in the competition's history.

But this triumph also had a taste of redemption. Two years prior, Milan had lost the final to Liverpool in the famous “Miracle of Istanbul,” even after taking a commanding lead. Kaká felt that defeat deeply but transformed the pain into a learning experience: “I consider it the worst defeat, one of the most painful, and at the same time, one of the greatest lessons I had in football,” the star said. In 2007, he used the lessons from that defeat to claim what was rightfully his. And he succeeded.

Before the Messi-Ronaldo Era: Kaká's Coronation

It was this self-confidence, this ability to bounce back in difficult moments, that led Kaká to so many incredible achievements throughout his career – the most memorable being winning the 2007 Ballon d'Or by a significant margin. He was the last Brazilian to lift the trophy – and the last winner before the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era. From 2008 onwards, the two dominated the award for over a decade. Ronaldo himself has spoken about the respect he has for Kaká, with whom he played at Real Madrid: “In my opinion, Kaká is a phenomenon as a person and as a footballer.” (Marca)

He wasn't the only one to praise Kaká over the years. After announcing his retirement, he received tributes from several football idols on social media, including Neymar, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Casemiro, David Villa, and Lucas Moura. All highlighted not only his talent but also his character. With his calm and respectful demeanor, Kaká inspired not just as a player, but as a person.

Frank Lampard, one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, also offered lengthy praise when both were at their peak: “He has everything – fantastic technique, speed, vision, accurate passing, and he scores goals too. As a midfielder, you consider yourself lucky if you have three of those qualities. For me, he is the best player in the world and will probably go down in history as one of the greatest of all time. I've admired him for years. When I see a player like that, I wonder if I can learn something from him.” (The News of the World)

Kaká played a style of football that many tried to imitate, but few managed to master. Direct and intense, elegant and serene. The 2006 Ballon d'Or winner, Fabio Cannavaro, recalled: “It was beautiful to watch him play.” (UOL)

While already admired at Milan, it was after winning the Ballon d'Or that Kaká began to influence an even wider generation of young talents around the world. Stars like Kylian Mbappé and João Félix have spoken about his influence in their youth, and Nigerian Wilfred Ndidi mentioned the importance of seeing him lift the trophy: “I didn't watch him much at AC Milan, but when he won the Ballon d'Or, I started paying attention. [...] I liked the way he played and also his lifestyle off the pitch. Very professional.” (Daily Post)

Beyond Milan: Kaká's Legacy

Although his peak was at Milan, Kaká also found success after transferring to Spain, helping Real Madrid win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

He returned to Milan for a single season, ten years after his first stint. After a short spell with American side Orlando City and a loan to his formative club, São Paulo, Kaká retired from football at the end of 2017.

His legacy was recently seen in the English Premier League. After scoring for Arsenal against Aston Villa, Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus took off his shirt to reveal a t-shirt with the phrase “I Belong to Jesus.” This gesture was immortalized by Kaká, who celebrated with the same words for both Milan and the Brazilian National Team.

Many consider Kaká the last true number 10 – the playmaker who orchestrates, gets into the box, decides games, tracks back to defend, and leads the entire team. A complete player. Legendary Brazilian number 10 Zico has also spoken about this. But the shirt still holds a special weight today – it's the legacy of all who have worn it. When he received the number 10 in 2024, Rodrygo said: “For me, it's an honor to wear the heaviest shirt in football history.” (ESPN)

And today, Kaká's name also carries its own weight – a player who combined the creativity of Brazilian football with the efficiency of the European style. An athlete who helped his nation win the World Cup and was the last Brazilian to win the Ballon d'Or. A player who not only impressed teammates and opponents with his skill but also inspired an entire generation of midfielders in Brazil and around the world.

Pelé's Approval: The King's Recognition

Perhaps the greatest compliment came from the father of the number 10, Pelé himself. In a 2007 interview, the King declared: “Kaká has a place in any team in the world, he has a bit of Pelé's characteristics [...] he comes from deep, helps the attack, plays a lot for the team. [...] In any era, including 1970.” (UOL) In just a few sentences, he not only stated that Kaká would have a place in the 1970 team – often considered the greatest of all time – but also compared him to himself. And when Pelé himself gives such praise, no one doubts it. Kaká carried many of the King's qualities with the number 10 and, in doing so, continued his legacy for a new generation, cementing his place as a legend of Brazilian football and one of the greatest midfielders of all time.