Despite the recent arthroscopic knee surgery that took place months ago, Kaka relived sharp pains in his left knee on Saturday.

In a match between Milan of Italy and Sevilla of Spain, the player reluctantly asked to be taken out of the game because he felt pains of what he considers to be tendonitis.

In May earlier this year, Kaka underwent corrective surgery on his left knee. The player was expected to recover quickly as the head coach of the Brazilian national soccer team, Dunga, counted on his presence during this year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

However, the player was not liberated by his Italian team, Milan, to participate in the Olympics. His teammate at Milan, Alexandre Pato, was cleared to play and will be playing along side the team's main attraction, Ronaldinho.

The 15 days allocated to Kaka's recovery from Saturday's scare are optimistic. The player may well need much more time to recover, not only physically, but mentally as well.

Kaka's surgery that took place in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the month of May earlier this year was performed by the Brazilian national team doctor, Jose Luiz Runco. If necessary, Kaka will return to Brazil to receive a check-up from doctor Runco as well as an examination of his current status.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2008)