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In case you’d been living on Mars, the global football community took a moment to wish former Orlando City SC captain Kaká a happy retirement yesterday.
Bowing out of the game with 10 major honours to his name for both club and country, floods of goodwill messages were posted on social media, such was the furore around this true great’s career.
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) December 17, 2017
Following Kaká’s announcement that he wouldn’t be renewing his contract with Orlando City SC in October 2017, it’s now the case that his MLS stint was indeed his final action as a professional.
With Jason Kreis’ Lions now embarking on the post-Kaká era at Orlando City SC, it remains to be seen just who will be the major figurehead for the club going forward.
Three years in thirty seconds. #ForeverALion 🦁 pic.twitter.com/XAqx0GJJzt
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 17, 2017
In many ways, poster boys don’t and probably won’t come bigger than Kaká.
After all, the man won the Ballon d’Or in 2007! That said, a key Designated Player replacement is what all City supporters crave this off-season.
While all of that will play out over the next few months, yesterday was all about paying tribute to Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, forever etched in history as Orlando City SC’s first ever captain in Major League Soccer.
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following Kaka’s retirement announcement yesterday.
A legendary career: ☑️
A legendary Lion in Orlando: ☑️Congratulations on an amazing career, @KAKA! Happy retirement! #ForeverALion 🦁 pic.twitter.com/JXMLSyS7kh
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) December 17, 2017
On behalf of #OrlandoCityUK, happy retirement to @KAKA! 🇧🇷⚽️
A true legend of the game in every sense! 👏🏽🏆
So lucky and privileged to meet him on two occasions! 👍🏽#OCSC #ThankYouKaka #MLS pic.twitter.com/Pww1RUFKuV
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) December 17, 2017
It was an absolute honor and a pleasure to cover you the last two years of your career, @KAKA. Enjoy retirement and thank you for everything you did for the beautiful game. #ForeverALion
— Mackenzie Thirkill (@KenzieThirkill) December 17, 2017
So my friend, now it’s official. What a beautiful career, how many joys, how many people inspired. I wanted to thank you so much for your football, for our 17 years of friendship and for join me in Orlando. I wish you the best in this new phase, always count on me. pic.twitter.com/OcKZTl7M15
— Alex Leitao (@alexleitao) December 17, 2017
Kaka has announced his retirement from football
🏆 World Cup
🏆 Champions League
🏆 UEFA Super Cup
🏆 La Liga
🏆 Copa Del Rey
🏆 Serie A
🏆 Supercoppa Italiana
🏆 Club World Cup
🏆🏆 FIFA Confederations Cup pic.twitter.com/QNpUM3Fi8e— Classic Football CFS (@classicshirts) December 17, 2017
Farewell, Kaká 🙌
🏆 Champions League ✔️
🏆 Liga ✔️
🏆 Serie A ✔️
🏆 World Cup ✔️🥇 Ballon d’Or ✔️
🥇 World Player of the Year ✔️#UCL pic.twitter.com/94YJjWCxzY— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 18, 2017
It was an honor and a pleasure playing along side you this past year. A great player and and an… https://t.co/SAX997R014
— Scott Sutter (@scott_sutter) December 17, 2017
It’s official. @KAKA announces his retirement from #soccer after 3 memorable years with @OrlandoCitySC. Now we’ll see what role he goes on to have in the sport in future. We wish all the best to one of the soccer greats – and a truly great human being. https://t.co/T9x5nA01qI
— VenessTravelMedia (@VenessTravelMe1) December 17, 2017
It appears that @KAKA has retired. I am forever grateful that he chose to wear our badge for 3 years. Thank you, Kaka! Forever a Legend. Forever a Lion. pic.twitter.com/t5FMmuXRyo
— anakenn (@anakenn) December 17, 2017
The game lost a legend w/@KAKA hanging it up today.. regardless of how disappointed many were over the last three years it was still pretty cool and a massive honor we got to see him play for us weekly.
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) December 17, 2017
Wish you all the best in retirement @KAKA 🦁 pic.twitter.com/rHo8EjsngZ
— Alex Wolf (@wolfiesays) December 17, 2017
With the news now official, I’d like to give a special thanks to @KAKA for everything he did for @OrlandoCitySC. A consummate professional through and through, always personable and friendly whenever I saw him. A truly special player and person. #ThankYouKaka pic.twitter.com/c6P9vGxmXb
— Austin David (@AustinDavid22) December 17, 2017
I haven’t met many global stars but it’s gonna be tough to top Kaka. Signed every autograph and took every pic he could. Class. https://t.co/jvjo9eHC4i
— John Jusino (@407Juice) December 17, 2017
@KAKA thank you. Thank you for choosing Orlando. Thank you for loving the game. Thank you for inspiring countless people to want to play soccer. Thank you for always being humble. Thank you for helping and loving our community.
Thank you. You are #ForeverALion
— Purple Pride Army (@PurplePrideArmy) December 17, 2017
10 years ago Kaka ruled the soccer world. Today, he announces his retirement from the sport after stints with Sao Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City and Brazilian national team🇧🇷 .
— Mike Gramajo (@byMikeGramajo) December 17, 2017
Pleasure to share the field with this absolute legend! Happy retirement @KAKA pic.twitter.com/6nQMErzDFe
— Richmond Laryea (@RichieLaryea_) December 17, 2017
Kaka – thank you for roaring the spirit of OCSC to what it is and making us who we are today. I wish you well and thank you for your contribution! Go City!!!
— Susan Williams (@Susantrachywil2) December 18, 2017
Ironically, Kaká announced his retirement almost exactly a decade after he scooped the 2007 Ballon d’Or too!
#OnThisDay in 2007 @KAKA won the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with Lionel Messi finishing in 2nd and Cristiano Ronaldo in 3rd pic.twitter.com/n1xUw59p2k
— #ClubWC 🇦🇪🏆 (@FIFAcom) December 18, 2017