Kaka laughs last as Milan get in derby mood
On his arrival in Milan, his name produced a shrugging 'who?' or a childish snigger, but after a brilliant first Serie A season, no-one is laughing at Kaka now. Christened Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite, the unheralded Brazilian's move to Italy - where his nickname means 's**t' - provoked derision.
Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi even claimed his side did not push their bid to sign him because of his unfortunate name.
But Milan were willing to risk ridicule and the joke was on Juve as Kaka - initially bought as back-up to Rui Costa - cemented a place in the rossoneri starting line-up, playing 30 games - and weighing in with ten goals - as he served as the catalyst in wrestling the scudetto away from the Turin club.
But now, despite lying second behind a rejuvenated Juve, the champions - and Kaka - have made a laborious start to their Serie A title defence, uncharacteristically gifting Messina three points when the newly-promoted side came to the San Siro and failing to dominate opponents.
Sunday's showpiece game sees them pitted against bristling city rivals Inter,but Kaka is hoping for a repeat of last season when he opened his Milan account by putting his side in front as they defeated the nerazzurri 3-1 to set the tone for a victorious season.
"It was very moving for me," the shy midfielder admitted to Eurosport. "When I arrived here, everyone told me that the derbies with Inter are the best - the most exciting games.
"So to score my first goal for Milan in a game like that is something I'll talk about for the rest of my life. I'll tell my children, and grandchildren, that my first goal for Milan was against Inter."
EASED SMOOTHLY
The 8.5m euros paid to Sao Paulo for Kaka now looks an inestimably shrewd piece of business on the part of the Italian club, edging out Chelsea in a race to secure his services.
Initially gifting him a four-year contract, Milan moved swiftly to replace it with an improved deal in September this year in a bid to ward off covetous rivals as Kaka's impressive form set a string of top European clubs drooling at the prospect of whisking him away.
But the native of Brasilia - who brought his family with him to Italy - is well-settled in Lombardy and has eased smoothly into the suffocating goldfish bowl of calcio which has seen many foreigners hurriedly scurry back to familiar shores.
"When I left Brazil I decided to adapt as quickly as possible to the Italian game," said Kaka. "I knew it was a new city, a new kind of football so I just tried to fit in. I think I succeeded.
"It's wonderful here, and I am grateful to my team-mates, who never gave me the cold shoulder, or were jealous with me – the whole squad helped me a lot to adapt."
KAKA-MANIA
His move was eased by the significant Brazilian contingent at the club - though, ironically, his arrival contributed to the acrimonious departure of Rivaldo - and Kaka has even made friends with 'the enemy,' counting Inter danger man Adriano amongst his closest confidantes.
Having scored a stunning brace in last weekend's 3-1 win over Udinese, as well as putting in a virtuoso performance in Wednesday's 5-1 Champions League humiliation of Valencia, Kaka knows the powerful striker will test Milan's defensive mettle to the full.
"We talk quite a lot and sometimes we meet," said Kaka. "It's really nice to see another Brazilian doing so well, making history. All I can say is 'Congratulations' to Adriano. He should know I'm rooting for him.
"But for Sunday's game, I hope he calms down a bit."
What is unlikely to calm is the Kaka-mania sweeping Italy, as the number 22 becomes a Serie A footballing icon - peering down from billboards across the peninsula as he poses for Armani in between dazzling on the pitch.
But despite the outpouring of admiration elevating him to hero status, Kaka's sobre middle-class upbringing and solid religious faith has kept him from straying over the fine line from celebrity footballer to footballing celebrity.
"I think being able to play football is a gift from God, so I never stop thanking him for the privilege of being a footballer. I think everyone has a gift, mine is football. I love it, I thank God because I'm very happy this way."
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taken from eurosport.com