Milan have warned that Kaka’s career is being put at risk by a targeted campaign by Serie A defenders to constantly foul him, an approach that the European champions have labelled ‘the Kaka method’.

The Brazilian superstar is currently sidelined with a knee problem and the injury has infuriated the Rossoneri who have made a public complaint at the treatment dished out to the reigning Fifa World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner.

Kaka should return in time for Milan’s Champions League second leg against Arsenal next week, but the club fear that the close attentions of Italian defenders could drastically shorten his career.

Stung by the memory of Marco van Basten’s early retirement, Milan have demanded that history must not repeat itself with their latest gifted performer.

“The hammering which Kaka is suffering is the same which had mined the physique and resistance of Marco van Basten,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

“The Dutch star played his last game at the highest level at 28 years of age. It was November 1992 against Gothenborg at San Siro. Then here never came back. No! It must not happen for Kaka too.

“The reality is that whereas the Milan opponents take turns in fouling Kaka, and the first minutes foul does not receive any sanction, it is becoming a custom of most Italian teams towards Kaka.

“What really hits us in the Italian league, is not just the numerous number of fouls on Kaka, on which the referees of our league overlook, but the scientific factor. It’s never the same player to make these fouls.

“There is an alteration between one player and another. As if it was a strategy. Almost the sign of a preparation. And here evidently the referees have no fault at all.”

Expounding on their conspiracy theory, the Italian giants have further cited particular games and fouls in order to bring Kaka’s plight to the attention of the Italian game.

“The initial “score” of the last two league games on Ricardo Kaka? Here you go,” the statement continued.

“Parma-Milan, first half: in the 7th minute a foul by Morrone from behind, in the 17th minute a foul by Dessena on the edge of the penalty area, in the 20th minute a foul by Morrone. These last in particular is the model of the Kaka method. The “targeted” player did a bad slide tackle on the player’s foot, risking everything: Leg, or ankle, it doesn’t matter, on him you have to risk.

“It’s not over. Milan-Palermo, first half: after 1 minute and 43 seconds a bad foul by Guana, from behind, exactly on the knee which is hurting Kaka. In the 22nd minute a foul by Migliaccio in midfield, not even whistled by the referee. In the 29th minute a foul by Bresciano, from behind, on Kaka who was launched towards the penalty area, with Ricky, who full of knocks and pain, has a reaction towards the referee.”

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has played down suggestions that Kaka is the victim of a witchhunt amongst Serie A defenders though.

“Kaka is one of those players who is tightly marked but I don’t think there is intent on the part of the players to hurt him,” said Ancelotti, who played alongside Van Basten for Milan.

“As far as referees are concerned, things can always get better but compared to the past, I think more attention is now paid to brutal tackles.”