Search for the word 'Galactico' in the dictionary and you'd find Kaka; the 26 year-old Brazilian luminary.
So where, and how, did it all go wrong?
Florentino Perez
Those who take a keen interest in European football will know exactly who Florentino Perez is; the crooked President of Real Madrid with an estimated worth of £1.5billion.
The civil engineer scales the land in search for his next multi-million euro purchase every summer. Failure is a word that has never prevailed in the lingo of the slimy Spaniard, because of course, every players' childhood dream is to play for Los Blancos. Yes, he has an eye for an outstanding player, but his ability to engineer a harmonious squad that has the clubs best interests at heart is deplorable.
In simpler terms, it's like throwing all of the finest ingredients in the world into a pan. They may taste delicious on their own, but who says they'll mix?
From Milan to Madrid
On the 8th June 2009, Kaka completed his €68.5 million move to Real Madrid. Perez had forced another club into submission and AC Milan had to reluctantly tap out. Vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed the sale was for economical reasons and the scales of European football tipped even more in Real Madrid's favour.
Big fees create big pressure, but was that the formidable factor in Kaka's Madrid misery? Zinedine Zidane had no problems living up to his price tag, neither did Ronaldo or Figo. However, Kaka had one parasite incessantly clinging onto his back during his four year stay in Spain...
Injury trouble
In actual fact, Kaka ended his first season in La Liga with a respectable 8 goals and 6 assists. His capabilities demanded more, but settling into the most famous outfit in world football was never going to be an elementary task.
The plague hit on 5th August 2010 when Real Madrid announced Kaka had undergone successful surgery on a long-standing knee injury. The Brazilian would face four months on the sidelines, a development that all but sealed the midfielders' demise.
From then onwards, injury hovered like a cumulonimbus above Kaka's Real Madrid career. He ended his tenure in Spain with only fifteen 90 minute performances.
Regrettably, the world was never granted the pleasure of witnessing the Brazilian prodigy hit his prime.
Dream money or dream move?
The big question.
Was injury the reason for Kaka's torrid time in Madrid, or was his heart ever in it? It's a controversial question, but a question that must be asked, especially considering the Brazilian's latest quotes upon rejoining AC Milan. 'I'm returning home to AC Milan' he announced. They say 'home is where the heart is', so let us again ask the question; 'was Kaka's heart ever in Madrid'?
The answer is no. In actual fact, the fee proposed by Florentino Perez back in 2009 forced Milan into selling their prized asset. Kaka was enjoying his football in Italy and had Milan to thank for capturing football's top awards in 2007.
Although playing for Real Madrid is certainly an appetising prospect, it's not always the best or desired move for every player.
