Kaka lives his worst nightmare

Remember the World Cup in South Africa for Kaka It is not something simple: “There was one day that I got on the bus after training and collapsed to cry. 'It's over, I can't take it anymore.', He said. But my companions turned around me and calmed me down. Only those of us who were there know the sacrifice it was for me to play that World Cup“

Kaka came to South Africa as the Brazilian superstar and the only pure '10' in Dunga's much-questioned roster for the tournament. The absence of Neymar and Ganso, two boys who at the time enchanted all of South America with an unstoppable Santos took its toll on the coach, who traveled to the tournament at war with the press and fans. Never amarelinha arrived at a World Cup so isolated. There was no access to anyone but the CBF and the press conferences of the mister were always burning fire, with a constant tension between him and the Brazilian reporters.

In the middle of the hurricane was Kaka. The playmaker had arrived a year earlier at Real Madrid after winning the Ballon d'Or as a Milan footballer. But the 2009-10 season was disappointing for the meringues, who finished runners-up in the league and were eliminated in the round of 32 in the Copa del Rey and eighths in the Champions League.

The Brazilian played all season with serious knee discomfort and a pubalgia and, although at that time the CBF denied it, it was a doubt until the last moment for the World Cup in South Africa. “My knee was very, very bad at the time and my hip problems were very serious”Kaka finally revealed in an interview with ESPN Brazil in 2018. “Sharp, shooting pains in my hip and knee limited my movements, mainly in the starts, which were always a fundamental part of my game dynamics, “he explained.

In the debut, against North Korea, Kaka had a subdued performance and was substituted in the 78th. In the following match, against Ivory Coast, he played better, gave two assists, but suffered a thigh injury that led to crying on the bus.

After returning from South Africa, Kaka went through knee surgery and did not return until the following year. And it was never the same again.