Brazil great Kaka retiring from soccer at age 35
Kaka
CLOSE SportsPulse: Martin Rogers believes the World Cup group stage is filled with plenty of drama  potential Cinderella stories and star-studded matchups. So much so you'll forget the U.S. isn't in it. USA TODAY  Sports
Kaka  looks on during  his  final game competitive soccer game as a player with Orlando City. (Photo: Kim Klement  USA TODAY Sports)
 Former Ballon d'Or winner Kaka  says  he  is retiring from soccer at age 35.
 Kaka  who played for Brazil  AC Milan and Real Madrid   told Brazil's Globo TV on Sunday that "my last word is that the cycle of my career as a player ends here."
"I needed time to think and take a decision calmly "  Kaka  said. "I have arrived to the conclusion that now is the moment to finish my career as a professional player."
A graceful midfielder   Kaka  won 92 caps for Brazil  scoring 29 goals and featuring at three World Cups.  He  was part of the Brazil squad that lifted the global trophy in 2002.
 Kaka  said that  he  would like to remain linked professionally to soccer  perhaps as a manager or sports director of a team.
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Kaka  was 21 when Milan brought  him  to Italy from Sao Paulo. The dangerous playmaker won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA's World Player award in 2007.  He  was part of the Milan team that won the 2007 Champions League final against Liverpool  and scored 95 goals across all competitions for the Rossoneri.
 Kaka  joined Real Madrid in 2009 for 67 million euros ($78.7 million) but had an up-and-down stint due to a series of injuries.  He  returned to Milan on a free transfer ahead of the 2013-14 season. A brief spell back with Sao Paulo preceded three MLS campaigns with Orlando  for whom  he  enjoyed individual success despite limited results for the Florida franchise.
 Kaka  was a free agent after leaving Orlando in October.
 Kaka  tweeted Sunday that "I'm now ready for the next journey."
CLOSE SportsPulse: Martin Rogers believes the World Cup group stage is filled with plenty of drama  potential Cinderella stories and star-studded matchups. So much so you'll forget the U.S. isn't in it. USA TODAY  [TGT]looks on during  [TGT]  final game competitive soccer game as a player with Orlando City. (Photo: Kim Klement  USA TODAY Sports)
 [TGT]says  [TGT]  is retiring from soccer at age 35.
 [TGT]who played for Brazil  AC Milan and Real Madrid   told Brazil's Globo TV on Sunday that "my last word is that the cycle of my career as a player ends here."
"I needed time to think and take a decision calmly "  [TGT]said. "I have arrived to the conclusion that now is the moment to finish my career as a professional player."
A graceful midfielder   [TGT]won 92 caps for Brazil  scoring 29 goals and featuring at three World Cups.  [TGT]  was part of the Brazil squad that lifted the global trophy in 2002.
 [TGT]said that  [TGT]  would like to remain linked professionally to soccer  perhaps as a manager or sports director of a team.
MORE: 
[TGT]was 21 when Milan brought  [TGT]  to Italy from Sao Paulo. The dangerous playmaker won the Ballon d'Or and FIFA's World Player award in 2007.  [TGT]  was part of the Milan team that won the 2007 Champions League final against Liverpool  and scored 95 goals across all competitions for the Rossoneri.
 [TGT]joined Real Madrid in 2009 for 67 million euros ($78.7 million) but had an up-and-down stint due to a series of injuries.  [TGT]  returned to Milan on a free transfer ahead of the 2013-14 season. A brief spell back with Sao Paulo preceded three MLS campaigns with Orlando  for whom  [TGT]  enjoyed individual success despite limited results for the Florida franchise.
 [TGT]was a free agent after leaving Orlando in October.
 [TGT]tweeted Sunday that "I'm now ready for the next journey."