The Portuguese coach says Kaka will be back in the squad “by mid-January.”

Kaka trained with the rest of the team on Saturday for the first time since undergoing surgery on his left knee on Aug. 5.

The former European Footballer of the Year had an operation on the same knee in 2008 and missed the first part of the 2008-2009 season with AC Milan due to swelling.

Kaka joined Real Madrid in 2009 and scored eight goals in 33 appearances last season.