Former AC Milan and Brazil star Kaka has announced his retirement from professional football.
Kaka revealed his intention to leave Orlando City when his contract expired this month, and the 35-year-old has opted against continuing his career elsewhere.
His decision comes 10 years to the day since he won the Ballon d Or, having helped Milan to Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup glory in 2007.
Kaka began his career at Sao Paulo in 2001 and was part of Brazil s World Cup-winning squad under Luiz Felipe Scolari a year later in Japan and South Korea.
After three seasons in Sao Paulo s first team he was snapped up Milan in 2003, joining a team that included the likes of Cafu, Paolo Maldini, Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo.
The languid playmaker quickly became a favourite of the Rossoneri faithful, helping them to the Serie A title in his maiden season in Italy and going on to score 101 goals in 287 appearances in all competitions across two spells for the club.
European giants Real Madrid shelled out a world-record €68million to prise him away from San Siro in 2009, though the fee to bring Cristiano Ronaldo to the Santiago Bernabeu rapidly surpassed his price-tag.
Kaka failed to replicate his best form in Madrid as he struggled with a serious knee injury and he returned to Milan in 2013.
The attacking midfielder spent one campaign with the Rossoneri before heading to MLS and Orlando via a loan spell at boyhood club Sao Paulo.
Following three seasons in the United States, Kaka opted against continuing his career with Milan or Sao Paulo, instead turning his attention to training to become a sporting director.
