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The legend of the number 10
In Brazilian football, the number 10 shirt carries a lot of weight. This dates back to 1958, when a 17-year-old boy named Pelé went to the World Cup wearing that shirt and enchanted the world. With incredible dribbling, exceptional vision and plenty of goals, he led Brazil to the World Cup title. After that, he would go on to win two more World Cups wearing the number 10 on his back and would become, forever, the King of Football.
Since then, the number 10 shirt has come to represent the complete player: the one who creates, decides, organises the team and leads. It’s not just anyone who wears that shirt. Over the years, it has been worn by some of the greatest in Brazilian history – Rivellino, Zico, Raí, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar… nothing but stars.
Between technique and explosiveness: the rise of Kaká
In the 2000s, one player took on this heavy mantle – and made it seem light. He had a unique style: he balanced control and explosiveness, elegance and strength, creativity and decision-making. He was the last Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or and is remembered as one of the most important midfielders in the history of football. His name is Kaká.
When Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, known as Kaká, signed for Milan in 2003 at the age of 21, few imagined that this slim, smiling young man would leave such a lasting mark on history. He was already talented, of course. Having come through the ranks at São Paulo, he always caught the eye with his ability to make almost impossible passes, burst forward at speed and still pop up to finish.
But his story almost ended before it began. An accident in a swimming pool caused a serious spinal fracture. Football came very close to losing one of its greatest talents. He made a full recovery, but was told he was physically more fragile and developed more slowly than other players. Even so, he never stopped improving. He turned fragility into faith, doubt into fuel.
In the very year of his professional debut, he decided the final of the Rio-São Paulo Tournament by coming off the bench and scoring two goals in two minutes against Botafogo. It was already clear that he brought something different.
The following season, Kaká continued to perform at the same high level, with a style of play that suggested someone far more experienced than he actually was. Calm and elegant, yet at the same time quick and unpredictable, he was a true spectacle – and it wasn’t long before Milan took an interest. Encouraged by his compatriot Rivaldo, Kaká joined the Italian club, where he would play alongside other Brazilians such as Cafu, Serginho and Dida.
In the spotlight in Italy: the rise of a maestro
At Milan, he settled in quickly. Within about a month, he became a first-team regular in a midfield packed with giants such as Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Rui Costa… nothing but legends. Yet even at such a young age, he won the trust of manager Carlo Ancelotti and took the reins.
What he achieved in Italy was the stuff of movies. Voted Serie A Player of the Year in his very first season in Europe, Kaká proved that the potential he had shown at São Paulo would be realised at Milan. He created chances, finished them, provided assists, and decided big matches. Everything went through his feet.
With Kaká as the star, Milan won Serie A, the Super Cups, the Club World Cup and the Champions League in 2007 – to this day the club’s last. He was decisive from start to finish, scoring against Celtic, Bayern Munich and Manchester United. The second goal against United is still remembered as one of the finest in the competition’s history.
But this victory also tasted of redemption. Two years earlier, Milan had lost the final to Liverpool in the famous “Miracle of Istanbul”, even after taking the lead. Kaká felt that defeat deeply, but turned 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’ve had in football” (UOL). In 2007, he used the lessons from that defeat to go after what was rightfully his. And he achieved it.
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Before the Messi-Cristiano era: Kaká’s crowning moment
It was this self-belief, this ability to bounce back in difficult moments, that led Kaká to so many incredible achievements throughout his career – the most memorable of which was winning the 2007 Ballon d’Or by a wide 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 competition for over a decade. Ronaldo himself has spoken of the respect he has for Kaká, with whom he played at Real Madrid: “In my opinion, Kaká is a phenomenon both as a person and as a footballer.” (Marca)
“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.” – Frank Lampard
He was not the only one to praise Kaká over the years. After announcing his retirement, he received tributes from various football idols on social media, such as 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 demeanour, Kaká inspired not only as a player, but as a person.
Frank Lampard, one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, also paid him a glowing tribute when both were at their peak: “He has it all – fantastic technique, pace, vision, precise passing and he even scores goals. 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 composed. The 2006 Ballon d’Or winner, Fabio Cannavaro, recalls: “It was a real joy to watch him play.” (UOL)
Although he was 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 such as Kylian Mbappé and João Félix have spoken of his influence on 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 came at Milan, Kaká also enjoyed success after moving 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 spell. Following a brief spell with the American side Orlando City and a loan spell at his youth club, São Paulo, Kaká bid farewell to the pitch at the end of 2017.
His legacy was recently on display in the English Premier League. After scoring for Arsenal against Aston Villa, Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus took off his shirt to reveal an undershirt bearing the phrase “I Belong to Jesus”. The gesture was immortalised by Kaká, who celebrated with those very same words for both Milan and the Brazilian national team.
Many consider Kaká to be the last true number 10 – the player who sets up plays, enters the box, finishes, drops back to score, and leads the entire team. A complete player. The legendary Brazilian number 10 Zico has also spoken about this. But the shirt still carries special weight today – it is the legacy of everyone who has ever worn it. When he was handed the number 10 in 2024, Rodrygo said: “For me, it is an honour to wear the heaviest shirt in the history of football.” (ESPN)
And today, the name Kaká 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 who was the last Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or. A player who not only impressed teammates and opponents with his skill, but who also ended up inspiring an entire generation of midfielders in Brazil and the rest of the world.
“Kaká has a place in any national team in the world; he has a bit of Pelé’s character” – Pelé
Pelé’s endorsement: recognition from the King
Perhaps the greatest praise came from the father of the number 10, Pelé himself. In a 2007 interview, the King declared: “Kaká has a place in any national team in the world; he has a bit of Pelé’s character [...] he comes from deep, helps the attack, plays very much for the team. [...] In any era, including the 1970s.” (UOL)
In just a few sentences, he not only stated that Kaká would have a place in the 1970 squad – often considered the best of all time – but also compared the star to himself. And when Pelé himself offers such praise, no one doubts it. Kaká embodied many of the King’s qualities in the number 10 shirt and, in doing so, carried on his legacy for a new generation, cementing his place as a legend of Brazilian football and one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
