Anatomy of an assist: Kaka vs Liverpool

This year’s UEFA Champions League final will be held in Istanbul. As OPPO Global Brand Ambassador for its partnership with the UEFA Champions League, Kaka will be back in the Ataturk Olympic Stadium together with OPPO to celebrate the crowning of a new champion.

As part of the partnership, Kaka has worked with OPPO to create a UEFA Champions League-themed video. The film takes us back to when Kaka witnessed the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ in 2005, and how it inspired him and his team to go on to win the UEFA Champions League two years later. 

When reflecting on the 2005 Champions League final, Milan's Brazilian superstar Kaka said: 'I believe something amazing happened that can be explained'. Miracles don’t just happen, they’re made. 

The self-effacing midfielder was referring to Liverpool's heroic turnaround, overcoming a 3-0 half-time deficit to force extra time and win the subsequent penalty shootout. Yet, the same gawking could equally apply to a moment of magic which Kaka produced during Milan's first-half rout.

Steven Gerrard's pass was cut out by Andrea Pirlo in the penultimate minute of the first half. Gerrard, trying to retrieve the ball,, charged towards Pirlo's shovel forward but Kaka had spotted Liverpool's skipper.

Moving the top half of his deceptively tall frame forwards, Kaka let the ball run across his body, gently ushering it into his stride with the subtlest of touches.

Not once does Kaka's gaze flick down to the turf. Scanning the scattered figures ahead of him from just inside Milan's half, Kaka's second touch has rightly been hailed as one of the greatest assists in Champions League history.

Hernan Crespo, already on the scoresheet after Milan's second goal, darted between Steve Finnan and Jamie Carragher. It still irks the latter Liverpudlian centre-back that he didn't cut out Kaka's pass. The ball had enough curl to arc beyond Carragher's big toe and the perfect backspin to ensure Crespo's stride wasn't broken.

Liverpool’s goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek had bounded off his line to intercept the pass but was caught between the penalty spot and edge of his area as the ball rolled in front of Crespo. The Argentine produced an impish, instinctive finish worthy of Kaka's pass, stabbing the ball over Dudek with the outer edge of his right boot.

The camera follows Paulo Maldini, Milan's regal captain who opened the scoring inside a minute, cradling Crespo's head in celebration but, just out of shot, Kaka's role is being recognised by those that could appreciate the feat his feet achieved.

Carlo Ancelotti, the best-paid pragmatist in football, had somehow found a way of shoehorning three playmakers into the starting XI - which also boasted two out-and-out strikers in a bid to appease the demands of club owner Silvio Berlusconi.

Pirlo dictated the tempo from the base of a diamond midfield with Clarence Seedorf shunted onto the left. Kaka may have been the youngest player on the pitch that day - just a month after his 23rd birthday - but he was deployed as the team's chief attacking lynchpin.

While most of Milan's team celebrated with the goalscorer, Seedorf and Pirlo both engulfed Kaka in a tight embrace, recognising the otherworldly contribution which may have even been beyond their own extravagant ability.

Like Kaka said, “Miracles don’t happen, they are made.” No matter if it’s Kaka’s greatest ever assist or Liverpool’s stunning comeback, all successes are born from every athlete’s perseverance and belief in achieving excellence regardless of the challenges faced. When professionalism meets passion, miracles can be made. 

About OPPO

OPPO, a global smart technology company, is the first Chinese brand to partner with the UEFA Champions League. The company will work closely with UEFA for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, to bring more passion and inspiration to sports through its world-leading devices and technologies while helping fans witness, capture, and share the magic of football. Its latest OPPO Find N2 Flip, Official Smartphone of the UEFA Champions League, will also be displayed at OPPO’s booth of 2023 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey.

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