An out-of-sorts Paul Pogba is reportedly finding life hard under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United – and in former Brazil star Kaka he has someone who may lend a sympathetic ear.
Kaka, who played under Mourinho at Real Madrid, believes the move to Spain ‘completely destsroyed’ his career having become one of football’s leading lights with AC Milan.
The Rossoneri parted ways with their talisman in 2009 for a reported £67 million (Dhs 349 million) and after a relatively promising first season at Real – without ever hitting his best form – his luck only went downhill from there.
When Mourinho was appointed just before his second season at the club, knee surgery set the Brazilian back – and the now-retired Kaka believes he was never given the chance to impress before returning to Milan in 2013.
“In 2009 I accepted the proposal of Real Madrid, but I was completely destroyed there because I could not give what I had given Milan, I was completely lost,” Kaka told Brazilian website UOL Esporte.
“Jose Mourinho was a difficult coach for me and we had a respectful but complicated relationship.
“When I thought he would give me a chance, I couldn’t prove to him that I was in good shape.
“I trained, I fought and I prayed a lot, but having not received the confidence of the coach, I realised that I could not work with him.
“The joy I had was to receive a message when he left Real Madrid and said that I was one of the most professional players he worked with.”
