Kaká was born in Gama, Federal District, Brazil, to Simone dos Santos, an elementary school teacher, and Bosco Izecson Pereira Leite, a civil engineer. His family was financially secure, which allowed him to focus on school and football at the same time.

Kaká joined the youth academy of São Paulo FC at the age of 12. He was discovered by the club after playing for a local youth club called 'Alphaville'. During this period, he developed his skills and eventually made his way to the first team.

Kaká made his professional debut for São Paulo FC at the age of 18. He scored 12 goals in 27 matches as an attacking midfield player, showcasing his talent and potential.

Kaká debuted for the Brazilian national team in 2002, playing in a match against Bolivia. Later that year, Brazil won the World Cup, with Kaká being part of the victorious squad.

Kaká joined Italian club AC Milan for a fee of €8.5 million. He made his first appearance in Italy in a 2–0 win over Ancona and quickly established himself as a key player for the club.

Kaká led Milan to win the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League and was the tournament's top goalscorer. His performances saw him win the FIFA World Player of the Year, the Ballon d'Or, and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.

Kaká joined Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid for a transfer fee of €67 million, which was the second highest transfer fee at the time. He played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2013, helping the team win the 2011 Copa del Rey and the 2011–12 La Liga title.

Kaká returned to AC Milan for a single season before joining MLS expansion club Orlando City SC. He played for Orlando City from 2014 to 2017, earning All-Star honors in each of his first two seasons.

Kaká retired from professional football in December 2017, ending a illustrious career that spanned over 16 years and included numerous accolades at both club and international levels.