Former Madrid and AC Milan star, Kaka to make marathon debut in Berlin

Brazilian footballer Kaka will make his debut at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan player said his father’s struggle with Covid-19 had inspired him to run the marathon.

“He was 45 days in hospital. Fortunately, he is with us today,’ Kaka said at the Berlin marathon press conference on Friday.

Kaka’s father and brother will take part in the “family experience” of the marathon.

“He’s not going to run, he’s just walking, but we wanted him in this experience with us – it’s more of a family experience.”

Kaka said marathons were particularly special as sporting events because amateurs can take part side-by-side with professionals.

“I’m very excited… Of course, it’s completely different than those guys (pointing to the professionals), this is something that is really good in marathons.

“As an amateur athlete, I can run and be in the same field as the professionals.

“This is something really special in marathons – afterwards I can say that the best one in the marathon ran this time, and at the same time I was running with him.”

Kaka said he was hoping for a time under four hours.

“I want to run around 3 hours 40 minutes – if I feel good maybe I can do more,” added the 2002 World Cup winner.