FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Gregory Sica's recent article on players to watch (Kaka', Diego, Tevez and Milito) was an excellent piece of work.  He did, however, make an even more interesting point in discussing the pending relationship between Kaka' and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sica wondered if Kaka' would make the transition from being The Man at AC Milan to being one of The Men at the Bernabeu; the implication being that with so much talent on the pitch, would Kaka's star shine less, would his skills not be given their proper respect.

This is a definite issue of concern; however, I offer some biased, of course, and optimistic, of course, thoughts.

Fact one, the first minute of the first practice of the first day Kaka' came back from Confed Cup rest he sought out one player to work with and one player only - yep, Cristiano Ronaldo.  The idea that the very-Christian Kaka' and the often less-so Ronaldo would mesh is a little-discussed but very crucial debate.  Three of the most important soccer geniuses in Ronaldo's life all say the same thing, despite what you might think about the man-purse toting, Ferrari-totaling, vacationing-with-Paris Ronaldo; he is all about soccer.  Ferguson says so, Giggs says so and Queiroz says so.  Despite the fact that Paris was with Ronaldo and not vice versa (a big difference in gossip cricles I assume) - Ronaldo is all about the game, in practice (the video proof of him busting his butt in Ireland was all over RealMadrid.com last week) and on the pitch (youtube what he did to two Quito defenders).

Fact two, some players like the bright lights less than you might think.  AC Milan is a sound and respectable club, even in it's current state.  Inasmuch as Kaka' was The Man in Milan - he can very much continue to be The Man in Madrid without shouldering the exclusive burden of creating plays or scoring.  Consider, you have already won the accolades, you have already made the money, you already have the endorsements and so - as Kaka; - your job is only to mesh well with players like Raul, Benzema, Ronaldo, Guti, Higuain, Robben, Ramos, Pepe... you get my point.  It isn't - in any sport - the name on the back that matters most.  At the Bernabeu it's the crest on the front.  Kaka' knows this, period.  Full stop.  Ronaldo does as well.

It is not for us to know the competition that happens within a locker room.  I prefer it that way.  Sica, however, raises the biggest concern of all when describing whether or not Kaka' and Ronaldo can co-exist.  Is this still a team sport?

My answer is yes because no matter who says or does what during the week, come game day, you had better rely on those 10 other guys and you had better be ready for them to rely on you.  If that doesn't happen, no one goes anywhere.