Brazilian star Kaka announces retirement

Former Brazilian World Cup champion Kaka announced his retirement as a player Sunday, suggesting that a management career at his old club AC Milan could be on the cards. "I am preparing to continue in football and to have a different role, but I will no longer be a professional player, an athlete," the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner told Globo television. "I would like to take part in a club in a role more like, a manager, a sporting director - someone between the field and the club."

Kaka has hung up his boots after a truly remarkable career ??? pic.twitter.com/DBmz4XX42K

— Goal UK (@GoalUK) December 18, 2017

Kaka, 35, said AC Milan "recently made this proposal". On his Twitter feed, devout Christian Kaka, who was part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team, wrote: "Father, It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I'm now ready for the next journey. In Jesus' name. Amem."

Father,
It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus name. Amem.

Pai,
Foi muito mais do que eu pedi ou imaginei!Obrigado! Eis-me aqui para próxima jornada. Em nome de Jesus. Amém. pic.twitter.com/PofZBAV0BE

— Kaka (@KAKA) December 17, 2017

He started his storied career with Sao Paulo in Brazil, where his performances attracted the attention of Europe's leading clubs and prompted a move to Milan in 2003. It was while at Milan that Kaka picked up the Ballon d'Or, awarded annually to the world's best player. He was the last player other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to receive the prize.

#OnThisDay in 2007 @KAKA won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with Lionel Messi finishing in 2nd and Cristiano Ronaldo in 3rd pic.twitter.com/n1xUw59p2k

— #ClubWC ??? (@FIFAcom) December 18, 2017

He also helped the Italian side to a Serie A title in 2003-04 and propelled Milan to 2007 Champions League glory, scoring a competition-best 10 goals as the club were crowned kings of Europe for the seventh time.

Thank you Kaká for a wonderful career! ???

Forever a #UCL winner with AC Milan in 2007 ?? pic.twitter.com/UraJ5GVHzv

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 17, 2017

The hugely talented attacking midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record transfer worth 68m euros ($89m, £56m), but Kaka struggled to consistently reproduce his top form in the Spanish capital.

One of football's greatest talents is hanging up his boots after a glittering career! ⚽️???

? All the best for the future, @KAKA! ? pic.twitter.com/J21ixoZnM2

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) December 17, 2017

He won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and was part of Jose Mourinho's team that won the league crown a year later, but he fell out of favour in Madrid and returned to Milan on a free transfer in September 2013.

Obrigado, @KAKA!!! ??
Rossonero per sempre.
2⃣2⃣ ❤⚫#weareacmilan pic.twitter.com/x6rnhgksxC

— AC Milan (@acmilan) December 17, 2017

Kaka was unveiled as the face of Major League Soccer's expansion franchise Orlando City in 2014, heading home for a brief reunion with Sao Paulo ahead of the US club's debut season in 2015. He scored the MLS team's first ever goal and was the North American league's highest-paid player for three years running before leaving Orlando in October. He scored 29 goals in 92 international appearances for Brazil, although having been overlooked for the 2014 World Cup on home soil he was also ruled out of last year's Copa America Centenario by injury.

What a career it was—thank you, @KAKA. ? pic.twitter.com/oqLtHk5aOa

— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 17, 2017

In November, media reports said he had been considering a move to Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng in the Chinese Super League. Spain's La Liga paid homage to Kaka on its Twitter account, saying: "One of football's greatest talents is hanging up his boots after a glittering career." However, Kaka said his transition off the pitch wasn't being taken for granted. "The fact of having had successes as a professional player does not mean I will or won't be a good manager. So I want to prepare myself for this going ahead, to study, to follow, to be closer to certain clubs, especially those where I played," he told Globo.