Kaka Blames Injuries, Mourinho For Woeful Madrid Career

By Max Wise

Former Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has revealed the reasons behind his failed stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, laying the blame squarely on Jose Mourinho and persistent injury problems.

Kaka joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 for a then-world record transfer fee of £56m when Manuel Pellegrini was the manager of Los Blancos, but his first season at the club was hampered by injury problems.

Jose Mourinho took over after Manuel Pellegrini departed the following season, and the Portuguese trainer brought in Mesut Ozil from Werder Bremen following some brilliant displays for Germany at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Ozil’s presence in the team meant Kaka had to play second fiddle to the German playmaker, and Kaka reveals how Mourinho told him he had no chance of winning back the role from Ozil at a time when he was fighting to catch the eye of the manager.

“The problem in Madrid was continuity,” Kaka told Grande Circulo de Spor TV. “First it was because of the injuries. The first year, I had a hip problem. I pushed to reach the World Cup and then I had an abductor injury."

“After the Cup, I had a knee operation and I’m out for six months. And when I return I have Mourinho. My problem in Madrid was continuity."

“First for the physical issue and then for the choice of the coach. I spent three years trying to convince Mourinho that he could give me opportunities. But, it was his choice,it was beyond my reach.”

"He told me he was not going to play me because the position was for Ozil. I thought I could contribute."

The 2002 World Cup winner, however, insists he has no ill-feelings towards Mourinho, who was recently sacked as manager of Manchester United.

“There is no problem between us,” he continued. “I was in Manchester for a sponsorship gig and I stayed at the hotel where Mourinho lived and we talked for two hours."