Twitter lit up on Wednesday with the comparison between Brazillian legend, Kaka and his countryman, Paris Saint Germain’s Neymar Jr.
With at least 49.2K and 60.5K Tweets respectively, the “Kaka vs Neymar” debate is looking like a battle of two generations with some pitching their tents behind the former Barcelona star while others are going for the AC Milan legend.
While the debate continues on the bird app, with some referencing playing styles and dribbles, WuzupNigeria looks at the club and national achievements of these great players who hail from the same country.
Kaka
Born Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite on 22 April 1982 in Gama, Federal District, Brazil. The attacking midfielder began his youth career in 1994 for São Paulo before signing a senior contract in 2001.
He played for São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Orlando City scoring a total of 149 goals after 461 club appearances in the space of 13 years. He was inducted into the A.C. Milan Hall of Fame in 2010.
CLUB HONOURS
Kaka won the Torneio Rio with São Paulo in 2001 before winning the Serie A (2003–04), Supercoppa Italiana (2004), UEFA Champions League (2006–07), UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup (2007) with AC Milan.
He also won the Spanish La Liga in 2011–12 and the Copa del Rey in 2010–11 with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS
Kaka scored 29 goals in 92 senior apps for Brazil and won the world cup with the Brazilian national team in the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament, defeating Germany in the final to win their fifth FIFA World Cup title.
He also won two FIFA Confederations Cup with the Samba Boys in 2005 and 2009.
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
kaka’s exceptional talent during his time the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFPro World Player of the Year in the year 2007. He made the FIFPro World XI from 2006-08, was part of the UEFA Team of the Year in 2006, 07 and 09 as well as the UEFA Team of the Year (2006, 2007, 2009).
Kaka was the UEFA Champions League top scorer in the 2006–07 football season. He bagged the UEFA Club Forward of the Year(2006–07), UEFA Club Footballer of the Year(2006–07), UEFA Champions League top assist provider(2004–05, 2011–12), UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year(2004–05), UEFA Champions League Bronze Foot(2005–06), Pallone d’Argento(2006–07) and the World Soccer Player of the Year(2007).
Others include three Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year awards in 2004, 2006, 2007, two Serie A Footballer of the Year awards in 2004, 2007, FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball(2007), FIFA Club World Cup top assist provider in 2007, FourFourTwo’s Best Footballer in the World in 2007, Time 100 – 2008, 2009, FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball in 2009, FIFA World Cup top assist provider in 2010, MLS All-Star Game MVP (2015) and UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year: 2015 (substitute), amongst others.
NEYMAR
Born Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior on 5 February 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. The skilful Neymar began his youth career at local club Portuguesa Santista before joining Santos in 2003 where he was spotted by Barcelona who signed him in 2013 after five years with the senior team of Santos. He currently plies his trade with French giants Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona in 2017 and is about to bag a new contract extension.
Neymar has made 288 appearances for all clubs he’s played for so far and has scored at least 175 goals.
CLUB HONOURS –
The 29-year-old who has appeared in XXX: Return of Xander Cage and Money Heist (2019) has numerous trophies in his cabinet.
He won three Campeonato Paulista(2010-12), Copa do Brasil(2010), Copa Libertadores(2011) and the Recopa Sudamericana in 2012 with Santos.
At Barcelona, Neymar won two La Liga trophies (2014–15, 2015–16), three Copa del Rey(2014–17), Supercopa de España in 2013, UEFA Champions League in 2014–15 and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2015.
The Brazilian has won three Ligue 1 titles (2018-20), two Coupe de France and two Coupe de la Ligue (2017-18 & 2019-20), the Trophée des Champions in 2018 & 2019 in Paris Saint-Germain. He is yet to win a UEFA Champions League trophy as PSG ended as runner-up in their first-ever UCL final in the 2019–20 season.
INTERNATIONAL HONOURS
Neymar has scored 64 goals in 103 appearances for the Brazilian senior team and won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Meanwhile, in the youth level, he won the 2011South American Youth Championship, and a gold and silver medals with Brazil in the 2016 and 2012 summer Olympics respectively.
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS
The skilful and trickish baller has won the South American Footballer of the Year(2011, 2012), FIFA Puskás Award in 2011, the FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball, FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Shoe, and was part of the FIFA Confederations Cup Dream Team in 2013.
He won a FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot and made the FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2014 before bagging three Samba Gold awards in 2014, 2015 & 2017. He was in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season(2014–15 & 2019–20).
The La Liga Best World Player in 2014/15 and La Liga Player of the Month(November 2015). He won the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2017–18. Neymar made the UEFA Team of the Year(2015,2020, FIFA FIFPro World11(2015,2017), FIFA FIFPro World11 2nd team(2013,’14, ’16, ’18), IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker Bronze award(2017), IFFHS World’s Best Man Player of the Decade (2011–2020: 4th place) and IFFHS CONMEBOL team of the decade (2011–2020), amongst others.
Twitter debate:
I just don’t understand the whole thing about cules, that Kaka to crespo champions league final pass against liverpool alone still rings in my head till today. Voted Pass of the century, and Neymar is a better passer, lol. Smh
— Ogunbiyi Oluwaseyi 🇳🇬🏗📚 (@ogunbiyiseyi1) February 10, 2021
If you think Kaka was a better footballer than Neymar, what you’re watching is not football, it’s something else.
Only few Brazilians are better than Neymar in history.— Ikemefuna (@K_Basharr) February 10, 2021
Kàkà that turned prime man united defence to farmers, won the balon dor ahead of Messi and Ronaldo.
— Olamilekan Quazeem (@its_horlahmi) February 10, 2021
Kaka was on fire from post world cup after he won it till he went to Madrid..
Kaka had a marvelous Longevity for AC Milan and his First 1 and a half season in Madrid..
Don’t disrespect Kaka all because Neymar can dribble and he has decent G/A contribution.. https://t.co/AaPmnBB3Cz
— ༒🔯𝙈 Ð굧 †ï𝙢𝙭🔯༒ (@Paul_Timx7) February 10, 2021
I love Jesus celebration was the highest then,if you have a corner kick and acmilan gets the ball to Kaka just forget it cos it’s a sure goal,highest box to box counter attacker then ,he’ll score himself from post to post.I remember he ended Samuel’s(Inter) career
— Abijosegun7 (@abijosegun7) February 10, 2021
Hahaha, true.
Neymar is a role model for those who just want to do step overs and dribble with the ball.
Kaka was gracious with and without the ball, he was sublime on the pitch and off the pitch. He is a legend, icon and a role model for professional football.
— Olumide Omotoso (@Olu_Lumotz) February 10, 2021
Comparing Kaka and Neymar is very weird cause one Kaka was an AM Neymar is a LW, Neymar is more skillful, while Kaka is more technical and intelligent in his play but Kaka had a better career than Neymar so that could be the decider at the end.
— Mr We$t (@musaxv) February 10, 2021
Neymar has been a top player and has been consistent for 5/6/7 years now and will be for years to come.
Kaka’s was undoubtedly a quality player in his prime that didn’t last 2-3 seasons plus his decline was so sharp n fast.
Personally I’d pick a Neymar over Kaka anyday, anytime
— Pastor Clinton🌚 (@Zaddy_Clinton) February 10, 2021
But but but but but Neymar is a better footballer than Kaka na. Should be common knowledge, I’m here wondering how some people are arguing.
With the ball and on the ball, Neymar does everything that Kaka does and more.
Don’t allow nostalgia cloud your judgment.— Edmund 💉 (@EdmundOris) February 10, 2021
The moment I saw people comparing Neymar to Ricardo Kaka, I just know some young football lovers are at it again. Same Kaka that will finish ten men with ease at the corner side before sending in wicked tap-in pass. Y’all need to go watch Kaka’s video on Youtube.
— Adenegan Enigbokan(Your Letter Boy)🚣🚤🏊🏄 (@Ade_Enigbokan) February 10, 2021
