GREECE SOCCER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, originally uploaded by saodoingoi148.

AC Milan soccer midfielder Ricardo Kaka of Brazil arrives at his hotel with other team members, south of Athens, on Monday, May 21, 2007. Italy's Milan plays England's Liverpool in the Champions League final at Athens Olympic Stadium on Wednesday. Thousands of rival supporters began arriving Monday for the game, amid major police security measures to deter potential fan violenc

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I belong to ..., originally uploaded by pilya.

Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - FIFA World Player Gala 2007

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ITALY SOCCER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, originally uploaded by trongquynguyen.

AC Milan's Ricardo Kaka', of Brazil, adjusts his shoes during a training session at the Milanello sports center in Carnago, northern Italy, Wednesday, May 16, 2007. AC Milan will play Liverpool in the final soccer match of the Champions League in Athens

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ITALY SOCCER, originally uploaded by Milan Time.

AC Milan forward Ricardo Kaka' reacts during the Italian top league soccer match between Cagliari and AC Milan, at the Cagliari stadium, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. AC Milan won 2-1

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kaka., originally uploaded by milan_kaka.

Kaka's position as the whitest member of the team also reflects the fact that he is the most middle class. While Ronaldo gave up the chance to make it at Flamengo, Rio's biggest team, because he could not afford the bus fare, the young Kaka was not only driven to the Sao Paulo club, he was also a fully paid-up member of their sports and leisure centre.

Although almost all of Brazil's top players are black or mixed race and from the bottom of the social ladder, each generation usually throws up someone who is white and middle class: Tostao in the 1970 team, Socrates in 1982, and Rai and Leonardo in 1994. Like Kaka, the latter two emerged at Sao Paulo, which has a reputation as being the city's "aristocratic" club.

Yet Kaka's impeccable manners and dedication are not simply the result of going to private school. He is a devout, evangelical Christian and -- in what must be a first for a footballer at his level -- is proud that he was a virgin when he married in December last year. His wife, Caroline Celico, is the daughter of the woman who represents Dior in Brazil.

Kaka was born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite in Brasilia, the son of a civil engineer. His nickname is a common Brazilian diminutive. The family moved to Sao Paulo when he was six and he started to use the leisure facilities at Sao Paulo, the club, when he was eight. At 12 he entered an open trial and was taken on at junior level.

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Japan Soccer World Cup, originally uploaded by Roua . A . A.

Japan Soccer World Cup

AC Milan's midfielder Ricardo Kaka smiles as he is greeted by Japanese soccer fans upon the team's arrival at Narita near Tokyo

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, originally uploaded by Ricardo Kakà (www.ricardokaka.it).

Ricardo Kaka

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, originally uploaded by Ricardo Kakà (www.ricardokaka.it).

Ricardo Kaka

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, originally uploaded by Ricardo Kakà (www.ricardokaka.it).

Ricardo Kaka

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, originally uploaded by Ricardo Kakà (www.ricardokaka.it).

Ricardo Kaka

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