Kaka hints at retirement: 'I don't find enjoyment playing football anymore'
Kaka could become the latest former AC Milan legend to announce his retirement after hinting at possibly following in Andrea Pirlo's footsteps and calling it a career.
With his contract set to expire in December, the Orlando City SC star suggested that he might hang up his boots for good during an interview in his native Brazil when he revealed that his passion for football is dwindling as he struggles to recuperate after matches at the age of 35. He added that he's interested in replicating the legendary Zinedine Zidane and learning the tricks of the trade in order to become a manager similar to the Frenchman - who is in his third season with Real Madrid.
"I’d like to do like Zizou. He stopped playing, took some time off, he saw that he liked to coach and paid his dues in the youth system," the Brazilian told Globoesporte, as translated by Sports Illustrated.
"I could do like him. Continue playing? I don’t find enjoyment playing football anymore, I feel pain after every match. My body feels it and at the age of 35 it’s hard to recuperate.”
Before he became a Designated Player in Major League Soccer, Kaka was considered one of the best players in the world during his illustrious career in Milan, where won the Serie A title and hoisted the Champions League trophy.
Kaka eventually moved on to Real Madrid but failed to rediscover the form he'd shown at the San Siro, and eventually decided rejoin Milan before crossing the pond and linking up with expansion side Orlando City SC.
Since making his debut in 2015, Kaka has scored 24 goals in 74 matches for Orlando.