Kaka gives thanks to Mourinho

Posted Friday, October 07, 2011 by ESPN

Real Madrid playmaker Kaka has credited Jose Mourinho for his impressive return to form.

The Brazilian international has recently returned from a long injury lay-off and is already showing signs of his old brilliance this season, scoring two goals so far.

Speaking on his form, the 29-year-old has revealed the work Mourinho has done in him,

"I can only say good things about Mourinho," Kaka told Real Madrid TV.

"He had everything to [put an end to my career], he could have thought: 'A player who has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders is not doing well, we will sell him and bring someone else in his place, he is not a player I signed'.

"[But] in the end, he always helped me. It is normal in football that the coach has trust in the players, but this trust is gained on the field and in training.

"I believe I am gaining the coach's trust, little by little. It has been very hard because I had practice sessions which were a disaster for me.

"It was never his problem, but my own. And in the end he always stayed by my side, helping me and telling me to be calm and patient."

The former World Player of the year also revealed his struggles at the Santiago Bernabeu throughout his three seasons there.

"I cried several times, because I could not see the reason things were not going my way," he explained. "I tried to do things athletes normally do, like sleeping well and taking care of myself.

"Sometimes, after a game, I would train alone when I got home only to see if I could recover my form. Football nowadays is very physically demanding, your opponents will devour you if you are not ready.

"Now I am reaping the rewards from that hard work."