Carlo Ancelotti thought Kaka was a Jehovah Witness

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he thought Kaka was a Jehovah Witness when he first set his eyes on the former football superstar.

Brazilian sensation, now retired, Kaka moved from his boyhood club Sao Paulo to join Italian giants in the summer of 2003 for fee of reported €8.5 million, described in retrospect as “peanuts” by club owner late Silvio Berlusconi.

The Italian was the manager of the Rossonerri at the time and was looking forward to see a more sophisticated player as club awaited the arrival of the 21-year-old, who has already had a reputation of winning the FIFA World Cup with Brazil.

Carlo Ancelotti thought Milan signed a Jehovah Witness

Recounting his impression upon seeing the 2007 Ballon d’or winner for the first time, Ancelotti said; “Kaka landed at Malpensa Airport and I put my head in my hands: Eyeglasses, hair perfectly combed, the face of a good boy.”

“All he was missing was schoolbooks and a snack. My god, we signed a college student. Kaka didn’t look anything like a Brazilian footballer, he reminded me of a Jehovah’s Witness.”

To people of Italy, it is hilarious for someone to have the name Kaka due to what it translates into in their local language. That does not make it easy for the club.

“Moggi started to send shade: ‘With that name in Italy he’s done for. At Juventus we’re all constipated. We don’t pay for Kaka’.”

However, that was in no way a bother for the FIFA World Cup winner as he quickly showed the stuff he is made of right there in his first training.

“Then, he stepped on the pitch still jet lagged and all: the heavens opened. With the ball at his feet he was monstrous. I stopped talking simply because I was at a loss for words. Words didn’t even exist for what I was seeing.” Ancelotti continued

“The Jehovah’s Witness was actually someone who spoke directly with God. And, I’m sure in one of those conversations, they talked about football.”

Kaka beats expectations in his first training

“In his first challenge in training as a Milanista Kaka found himself in front of Gattuso, who gave him a terrifying shoulder barge, but Kaka didn’t even lose the ball. Rino in his own way of encouraging his new teammate said: ‘F**k off’.”

“Then, after keeping the ball, Kaka played a 30-yard pass, taking even Nesta by surprise who wasn’t able to intercept it.”

Now Real Madrid manager, Ancelotti could no longer hide his excitement. He said;”At the end of every training [ex-Milan CEO Adriano] Galliani and I always spoke on the phone so that I could tell him what was going on, and then hear his thoughts.”

“That day I called him: ‘Mr Galliani, I have some news for you’. ‘Good or bad?’ ‘Good. Very good’. ‘Carletto, are you giving your resignation?’ ‘No, I’m staying, because we just signed a phenomenon’.”

Kaka would go on to spend seven seasons over two spells, the first which is a very well decorated six years, which produced five major titles, including a UEFA Champions League and a Serie A titles.

He secured a big money move to Real Madrid in 2009 before returning to Milan a year later.Now 42, Kaka announced his retirement from professional football in 2017, turning down a return to former clubs, Milan and Sao Paulo.

Hassan Afolabi