Kaka sits down to discuss the MLS, the prospect of Steven Gerrard joining the league and the form of Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil
Orlando City playmaker Kaka says he cannot wait to play against Steven Gerrard in America next season, with the midfielder's arrival sure to improve Major League Soccer.
Gerrard revealed in January that he would be ending his 17-year association with Liverpool at the end of the campaign, with the midfielder set to move to the Los Angeles Galaxy on an 18-month contract in July.
And Kaka, who himself joined newly formed MLS franchise Orlando from AC Milan in the summer of 2014, says he is hugely excited about the prospect of facing a player who he greatly admires after competing in two champions League finals against the Reds captain.
“I have good memories of Gerrard,” said the Brazilian in an exclusive interview withSky Sports.
“He was one of the players I loved to watch. I like the way that he plays and the way that he moves on the field. I’m so happy he’s coming to play here. It’s going to help the league a lot.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, who faced AC Milan and Kaka in both the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals
“I’m not sure I’m in a position to give him some advice for the league, but it’s very competitive, so he will need to be ready to be competitive with his new team.
“It’s a great experience to play in America in this league with this team and this project. I’m so happy here. Being the superstar of the league is not a pressure, it’s a big motivation.”
Meanwhile, Kaka has also revealed how he enjoys watching the Premier League, especially given how many of his fellow countrymen now compete in the English top flight.
“I love to watch Oscar, Willian, Felipe Luis and Philippe Coutinho,” Kaka added.
“There are a lot of Brazilians playing in the Premier League now. I’m trying to watch a lot of games – Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. We try to watch the big games and enjoy watching them.”
Kaka and Ozil together at Madrid
One Premier League star from outside Brazil, however, who particularly impresses Kaka is Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.
The duo played alongside each other at the Santiago Bernabeu for three years, helping the club win La Liga in 2012, with Kaka having fond memories of their time together in the Spanish capital.
“He’s an amazing player,” he said. “He’s so smart, so intelligent. The time we played together was amazing. We had a very good relationship on and off the field.”
But despite the Germany international recently claiming he could win the Ballon d’Or within “the next few years”, Kaka has warned his former Real team-mate that landing such individual awards depends on many different factors.
“He can do a lot of things with Arsenal,” said Kaka. “To win the Ballon d’Or doesn’t just depend on him. It depends on a lot of other things. You have to win a lot of things to arrive at that award.”
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