Football - Brazil Brazilian says goodbye aged 35

It was announced by Kaka this Sunday that he is to retire from professional football, even though he had several offers to continue playing at 35 years of age.

The winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2007 gave some clues as to what he would like to do in the near future.

"I would like to participate at a club in another way, as a coach, a sporting director, as someone who is between the pitch and the club," he said in a farewell interview with Globo TV in Brazil.

"I prepared very hard to be a professional footballer and I want to prepare well for this new role."

"I came to the conclusion that now is the time to finish my career as a professional player."

Father,

It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I'm now ready for the next journey. In Jesus name. Amem.



Pai,

Foi muito mais do que eu pedi ou imaginei!Obrigado! Eis-me aqui para próxima jornada. Em nome de Jesus. Amém. pic.twitter.com/PofZBAV0BE ? Kaka (@KAKA) 17 de diciembre de 2017

During the interview, the Brazilian reviewed his career and noted that his time at Real Madrid wasn't great.

"It was far from what I expected," he continued.

When asked about his toughest moment as a footballer, the elimination of Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup, after losing 1-0 to France, was his choice.

"It was one of the best Brazilian teams in history and losing like that was very difficult," he recalled.

Sao Paulo, from whom he had an offer to continue, published a note which he highlighted his career.

"He is a player who says goodbye full of conquests that will eternalise his name in world football. Thanks Kaka! Sao Paulo will always be your home and its doors will always be open for you."

Kaka was trained in the youth categories of Sao Paulo, and he made his professional debut for them in 2001.

Two years later he was signed by Milan before moving to Real Madrid in 2009, where he stayed until 2013.

He returned to Milan for a season then went back to Sao Paulo before moving the MLS in 2015, where he played at Orlando City, the last club of his career.

With the Brazilian national team, he starred for just over a decade, playing a total of 95 games and scoring 31 goals.