Kaka rejects doctor's "career in jeopardy" claim

MADRID (AP) -- Kaka has rejected claims by the doctor who operated on his knee that the player put his career in jeopardy by playing at the World Cup in South Africa.

Kaka said in Friday's edition of Spanish newspaper Marca that Dr. Marc Martens overstated the extent of the injury. Martens performed arthroscopic surgery on Kaka's left knee Aug. 5 after a routine preseason check by Madrid doctors discovered a problem.

Kaka said that Martens "is a great professional but he raised the alarm, he exaggerated a lot.''

Kaka had a disappointing first year at Real Madrid last season and his Brazil team was knocked out of the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage.

The player also said he expected to be "the best in the world again'' und