体坛英语新闻：Kaka denies career in jeopardy

MADRID, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Brazil soccer star Kaka said on Friday that the doctor who operated on his knee had exaggerated the seriousness of his injury.

Madrid doctors Marc Martens performed arthroscopic surgery on the striker's left knee on Aug. 5 and then claimed the player put his career in jeopardy by playing at the World Cup.

But Kaka denied it in an interview on Friday. "Martens is a great professional but he raised the alarm, he exaggerated a lot," said Kaka.

Martens said Kaka was in unbearable pain during Brazil's quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands in the World Cup.

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka of Brazil (L) leaves the Apra AZ Monica Clinic in Antwerp August 6, 2010 after an operation on his left knee. Kaka has undergone an operation on his left knee and could be ruled out for four months, his surgeon said on Thursday. He was examined in Belgium by knee and sports injury specialist Marc Martens, who carried out a half-hour arthroscopic operation on Thursday morning.

Kaka said he played in pain before that game.

"I played in pain in a lot of games, not just with the national team, but also with Real Madrid," he said. "And not just my knee, but other parts of my body, too."

Kaka had a disappointing first year at Real Madrid last season after a euro65 million ($83 million) move from AC Milan, as he was hampered by a groin injury. The groin problem aggravated the knee injury, he said.

He said he expects to return to action in four months.

"I will be the best in the world again. Today it's difficult to say this, but I think I'm going to be successful with Real Madrid. I had the operation to be No. 1 again." He said.