Kaka isn’t concerned with his fitness ahead of the World Cup, and said on Friday he is ready to take on the responsibility of being Brazil’s leader at the tournament.
Kaka enters the tournament as Brazil’s biggest star, but he also arrives heavily affected by injuries that have put in doubt his performance in South Africa.
The Real Madrid playmaker, however, is confident he will be in good physical condition when the World Cup begins.
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I am getting better every day,” Kaka said.
“The injury does not bother me anymore. I’ve been doing everything planned so far and by the time we play the opener I will be in great condition.”
Kaka is coming off an injury-plagued season that kept him from playing at his best with Real Madrid. He sustained groin and thigh problems that kept him sidelined for 45 days at one point, unable to perform like the Fifa player of the year he once was.
Brazil doctors said the groin problem is not an issue anymore. “I was worried at first,” Kaka said, adding, “It was very limiting, but now I’m being able to move around much better. I’m going through intense treatment and with 10 days left until the opener I will be fine.”
Kaka has been practicing normally with the rest of the Brazilian players since the team arrived in South Africa on may 27, but continues to receive separate treatment even when the other players get a break. He played 45 minutes in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Zimbabwe in a warm-up in Harare on Wednesday and said he felt fine.
“It wasn’t my best match with Brazil, but it was very positive. I was able to do a lot on the field without any problems,” the 28-year-old Kaka said.
Kaka was already a top player when he was with Brazil at the 2006 World Cup, but at the time he shared much of the spotlight with Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Adriano.
Now, few players are attracting similar attention as Kaka. Wearing Brazil’s famed No. 10 jersey, Kaka knows all eyes will be on him this time.
“To be one of the team’s leaders, I’m ready to take this responsibility,” Kaka said.
“I’ve always accepted this responsibility.” — AP