AC Milan club doctor Jean Pierre Meersemann has questioned star midfielder Kaka's decision to have surgery on a knee problem, claiming the operation will delay his recovery.

Kaka returned to his native Brazil at the end of the Serie A campaign and chose to go under the knife in an attempt to cure an injury which plagued him throughout last season.

However, Meersemann is not convinced surgery was the best option.

"The treatment we did in the last part of the season was a success, insofar as Kaka was fine at the end of the season and left here being able to play," he told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But an operation was done and has delayed his recovery.

"It's difficult to make a prognosis, difficult to say how to proceed.

"It's wrong to say the problem has become chronic, but we need to keep an eye on it."

Meersemann added: "There's no real alarm because Kaka now has to do specific exercises designed for his knee.

"Now we will try and get him fit for the start of the season but there has to be a minimum recovery time."

Kaka's team-mate Clarence Seedorf is worried the 26-year-old will not be fit for the Serie A opener against Bologna on August 31.

"There's a bit of a concern," said Seedorf. "If you're not sure of your fitness throughout pre-season training, you need to take the necessary time out in order to return at 100%.

"It's right that he takes the time he needs to, because he is young and he can't risk his career."