The 2017 MLS All-Star Game will feature Kaka, Dom Dwyer and the MLS All-Stars against 11x European champions Real Madrid. Here’s a look at the history between Orlando City’s #10 and Europe’s elite club:
Four Seasons At The Bernabeu
Real Madrid is known for attracting the world’s best players. In the summer of 2009 Kaka was amongst the world’s best and, naturally, was a target for the European giants. The Brazilian made the move from A.C. Milan in June of 2009 and spent four seasons at the Club. .
Kaka’s stats during his time in Madrid:
Goals - 29
Assists - 32
Appearances - 120
Titles - La Liga (1), Copa Del Rey (1)
#1 and #2
Part of Real Madrid’s massive trophy cabinet can be credited to its ownership - which has never never shied away from paying record transfer fees.
In 2001, Madrid acquired Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for a then-world record transfer fee of €77.5 million. Kaka’s transfer from A.C. Milan was worth €65 million - the second highest transfer fee in history at the time.
Friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo
Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in the same year (2009) and were friends both on and off the field. Their chemistry on the pitch was a pleasure to watch. Each player complimented the other’s skills; this was part of what made Real Madrid’s attack so difficult to stop, and so enjoyable to watch.
The players have remained friends since Kaka’s departure in 2013 and will be reunited in Chicago for the All-Star Game https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-all-star-game-2017 . Only this time the two legends will be on opposite sides. The two teams square off in Chicago on August 2nd at 8:30pm ET on FS1.
