Kaka Reflects on Brazil's World Cup Ambitions and Key Players

At 20, Kaka was part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup squad, mostly observing the team’s stars while preparing for a career-defining move to Italy. Now, nearly 25 years later, he recalls learning from legends like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Fenomeno, and Rivaldo during that tournament in South Korea and Japan.

“They were my teachers,” Kaka said with a laugh, reflecting on his role as a young player overshadowed by three Ballon d’Or winners and World Cup champions. Though he played only 25 minutes in that tournament, he vividly remembers the feeling of lifting the trophy.

Brazilian football has evolved significantly since then, and Kaka’s international career peaked early. Despite his status as one of modern football’s greats, he never reached the same heights with the Selecao after 2002. Now, he observes a transformed Brazil team still bearing the immense pressure of World Cup expectations.

“The pressure is… It's incredible. It's hard to explain. There is nothing that I can say that is equal to the pressure that we have. It’s something really special,” Kaka remarked.

The Unique Challenge of World Cup Pressure

While Kaka’s club career included two Champions League titles with AC Milan and the 2007 Ballon d’Or, representing Brazil carries a distinct weight. Winning the World Cup is the ultimate expectation for any Brazilian player.

“It’s strange because it's something that you cannot train. I cannot train to play in a World Cup. I can prepare myself in the best way: emotionally, physically, technically, and those things, but I cannot train myself to be in a full stadium, playing against Argentina, France, or whatever,” he explained. “You never know how you’re going to handle the situation.”

Despite this, Kaka never lacked confidence. He believed Brazil had strong chances in 2006 and 2010, especially with an attacking lineup featuring Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Adriano, and himself. Yet, Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals both times, and Kaka’s international career concluded shortly after.

“Every year I realized how hard it is to play a World Cup and to win a World Cup, and how big it is to have a World Cup in my, in my achievements,” he said.

Current Brazil Team and Neymar’s Role

The Brazil squad preparing for the 2026 World Cup faces similar pressures. Under manager Carlo Ancelotti, known for his defensive discipline and tournament experience, the team aims to overcome recent struggles, including a trophy drought since 2019.

Kaka praised Ancelotti’s influence, recalling their time together at AC Milan during his best career phase. “With Carlo, I had the best moment in my career, the period that I performed really well,” he said.

Injuries to key players like Rodrygo and Eder Militao have impacted the squad. The inclusion of Neymar, whose form and fitness are uncertain, sparked debate. However, Kaka supports Neymar’s selection, emphasizing his experience and maturity.

“For me, it's really important that he's in the squad. He can help on the field and off the field. He's really mature. It’s his fourth World Cup. He knows already how it is, how to go, how to play, how to behave, and for me it's really nice to have him in the World Cup,” Kaka said.

Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid’s Season

Much of the spotlight will be on Vinicius Jr., the Real Madrid winger who narrowly missed the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Despite criticism regarding his chemistry with Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s trophyless season, Kaka defends his performance.

“Vinicius played a really good season. The challenge is at Real Madrid; if you’re not winning, it’s a disappointing season. Vinicius scored a lot of goals and played really well. But Madrid didn’t win anything,” Kaka said. “So everyone says it’s a flop.”

Real Madrid will welcome Jose Mourinho back as coach after the World Cup. Mourinho previously managed the club from 2010 to 2013, a period Kaka described as challenging but valuable for his development.

“Three years with him in Madrid was a very interesting moment, a challenging period with him, but also nice. I improved a lot. He gave me a lot of good advice. I tried my best to play with him in more moments, in more situations, but I wish all the best for him,” Kaka stated.

Kaka expressed curiosity about Mourinho’s second tenure, noting the presence of several Brazilian players including Vinicius.

“This second moment in Madrid, he has a lot of Brazilians: Vinicius, other players. It will be really interesting to see Madrid with Mourinho next season,” he said.

World Cup in North America and Football Development

Currently partnering with DoorDash in the U.S., Kaka views the North American World Cup as a positive development for football in the region.

“It's really important for the development of football in the U.S. Hosting a tournament like the World Cup, it's really nice to see the players, the coaches, and different sports cultures,” he commented.

Kaka also noted changes in U.S. college soccer, with the NCAA moving toward a year-round season, which he believes will aid player development.

“I saw that the NCAA changed a few things for the next two years. They’re saying that it's not just half of the year, the season will be the whole year. I think that it's a really good improvement for developing players in the U.S.,” he said.

Though he last played in the U.S. in 2017, Kaka keeps close tabs on the leagues and clubs that shaped his career, including MLS, which he believes is expanding with high-profile signings like Lionel Messi.

“MLS is still growing, we see these big names coming. Now we have Leo [Messi] in MLS. That’s really nice, and it’s good to see how the league is developing,” he added.

Having experienced the World Cup pressure firsthand, Kaka now enjoys watching the tournament as a fan. While this Brazil team is not the outright favorite, he believes they have a real chance.

“I’m really hoping that this is the good moment for Brazil to win the World Cup again,” he said. “We wish that Brazil can win the sixth star, back in the U.S.”