Kaka Chooses to Suspend Own Salary as Thigh Injury Sidelines AC Milan Star

AC Milan playmaker Kaka could be ruled out for up to a month by a thigh injury, so he has taken the unusual decision to suspend his pay until he returns.

In a move that will only elevate his status as a legend at Milan, Kaka announced via a personal video that the support of the fans means more to him than money, so he will go unpaid until he kicks another ball.

As translated by Massimo Marioni of the Metro:

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I have spoken at length with the club, with (vice-president Adriano) Galliani and the doctors to decide on a few things and in the end I decided that I don’t want anything from Milan except love and support until I’m fully fit and ready to play.

For this reason I have decided to suspend my current pay for this period of time, the only thing that I ask is the support and help to recover properly.

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Kaka made a hero’s return to Milan during the summer transfer window, re-joining the club where he won a Serie A title and Champions League crown during his first stay.

However, after featuring in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Torino, the club confirmed that he suffered damage to his left adductor.

Kaka will be out for at least 10 days, at which point he will be assessed again. Football Italia claims the Brazilian could be out until late October:

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It is being claimed that he will be sidelined for at least four weeks with the issue.

Kaka could be thus available again for the game against Udinese on October 19—three days before the Champions League tie against Barcelona.

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The news will come as a boost to SPL club Celtic, who face the Italians in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

Milan have not made the best of starts to the 2013/14 Serie A campaign, taking four points from a possible nine to sit ninth in the table.

Kaka’s return had been eyed as a catalyst for their season, but he was actually subbed after 70 minutes of the draw with Torino, at which stage his side trailed 2-0.

Without Kaka on the pitch, Milan found two goals in the last 10 minutes—the equaliser coming seven minutes into injury-time through a Mario Balotelli penalty.

They also have injury concerns over Riccardo Montolivo and Andrea Poli, so Celtic face the Rossoneri at a good time in the season.