One is a superstar known the world over by one name. The other is just now starting to gain international fame. One is 34 years old and has been named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Balloon d’Or. The other is 21 years old and was voted the 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year. One has World Cup, UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Serie A titles under his belt. The other doesn’t have a major championship win… yet.
Separately, they are Kaká and Cyle Larin, respectively, two talented players at opposite ends of their careers.
Together, they are a winning combination for Orlando City.
Kaká and Larin connected for two goals in Saturday night’s 2-1 victory over the Montréal Impact. The first was a header by Larin off a free kick from Kaká in the 43rd minute and the second was a game-winner booted in by Larin off a short cross by Kaká in the 87th minute
SloMo: Kaká Feeds Larin for Game Winning Goal
The relationship isn’t just one of scores and assists, however. It’s one of learning and instruction as well. As man with considerable experience, Kaká has a wealth of knowledge of the sport to which he’s devoted his livelihood. And it seems with each game that he is passing down that knowledge to Larin.
Larin, asked about their pairing, expressed he’s humbled to learn from one of the sport’s greats.
“I keep growing every game he’s on the field with me… even when he’s screaming, I’m learning from him at the same time.”
For Larin, the more time the two teammates see on the field together, the better the partnership becomes.
“The more we play together, the more I learn from him. Last year, at the beginning, I wouldn’t have been in that position. I keep learning.”
Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath had nothing but praise for the younger part of the duo.
“Cyle is learning… and he’s continually getting better. Cyle is getting a better understanding of the game.”
That better understanding no doubt comes from sharing the field with one of the most talented soccer players the world has ever seen. With a mentor like Kaká, who knows what could be next? Larin could himself be on the precipice of greatness.
But for now, City fans will look to this goal-scoring tandem to power them through the remainder of the season; a season looking a whole lot brighter after last night.
