Real Madrid ace Kaká has admitted that he knew he was injured even before this summer's World Cup in South Africa but said that he didn't think it was serious at the time.
The Brazil international is facing at least three months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his left knee in Belgium on Thursday to repair a meniscus injury after complaining of pains in his knee at the club's pre-season training camp in Los Angeles.
Dr Martens labelled the injury "career threatening" and voiced his concern that the injury could have ended his glittering career prematurely.
However, Kaká insists he never realised the severity of the problem.
He told the Spanish press: "I had a sore knee since last season, even before playing in the World Cup but I did not know that it was serious. I was the first to be surprised.
"As I was being treated for the groin problem, we knew that I would have a muscular imbalance. The doctors knew that I had a pain. We all knew it but we thought it was just because of the groin problem.
"When the World Cup ended, I thought that the pain was due to the groin and I went on vacation to recover. But now I see that it is serious. It is a sad time but I will work hard to return."
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| Photo: REUTERS/Eric Vidal |
Kaká flew straight to Antwerp on Wednesday night for the procedure, which was performed by surgeon Marc Martens.
Dr Martens labelled the injury "career threatening" and voiced his concern that the injury could have ended his glittering career prematurely.
However, Kaká insists he never realised the severity of the problem.
He told the Spanish press: "I had a sore knee since last season, even before playing in the World Cup but I did not know that it was serious. I was the first to be surprised.
"As I was being treated for the groin problem, we knew that I would have a muscular imbalance. The doctors knew that I had a pain. We all knew it but we thought it was just because of the groin problem.
"When the World Cup ended, I thought that the pain was due to the groin and I went on vacation to recover. But now I see that it is serious. It is a sad time but I will work hard to return."
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Team
Personal
Also see:
