Real Madrid waiting for Kaka to hit top form

Cristiano Ronaldo has stolen most of the headlines with a string of match-winning performances but Real Madrid are still waiting to see the best of Brazilian playmaker Kaka, their other major summer signing.

Real paid AC Milan 67 million euros to bring the 27-year-old to the Bernabeu but he has only recently shaken off a lingering groin injury and has yet to reproduce the form that won him the 2007 FIFA World Player award.

Kaka has another chance to impress when Real play at struggling Tenerife on Saturday (1900 GMT) and a win would lift Manuel Pellegrini’s side above leaders Barcelona, who host improving Malaga in the late kickoff (2100).

"When you have talent, sooner or later you will show it," Real director and former player Emilio Butragueno said this week. "Kaka is one of the world’s best players," he added. "There is no debate."