Brazilians Marcos Cafu and Serginho have said farewell to Milan ahead of the final game of the season against Udinese.
Cafu arrived at the Rossoneri from Roma in 2003 and the 37-year-old has made over 100 appearances during a highly successful period at San Siro.
“Five years ago I chose to come to Milan because I knew that they were a big club where I could show everything that I had learned in my career,†he explained.
“I have had five marvellous years in which I’ve managed to win everything.
“One incredible memory will always be with me – when I arrived in the summer of 2003, Milan had just won the Champions League Final in Manchester.
“And technically we are still European champions now, for a short while longer.
“The joy of winning these titles will always remain within me, as well as my teammates.
“It’s the right time to leave now, which is sad but I knew that sooner or later the time would come to go home, back to Brazil and my family.
“My children have got on well here in Italy, especially here in Milan.â€
Cafu hasn’t yet decided whether he will continue playing in his homeland or hang up his boots.
“I don’t know if I’ll play on in Brazil,†he said. “All I know is that my last game for Milan is on Sunday and I don’t know whether I’ll get to play or not.
“I am ready to take on such an important task. Carlo Ancelotti will be able to count on me on all fronts.
“It’s not easy to say goodbye to the fans who have welcomed me in a fantastic manner, I hope I haven’t let anyone down. I will continue, however, to support Milan’.â€
It will also be an emotional day for Cafu’s compatriot Serginho, who joined the club in 1999 and is also heading for the exit.
“After my back problems, I haven’t been able to get back to peak fitness, which is why I think the time is right to leave,†the 36-year-old said.
“I came to Milan in the summer of 1999 along with Gennaro Gattuso and Andriy Shevchenko when I was 27 and I have spent nine splendid years for which I thank the club and the fans.
“I have managed to find a piece of Brazil in Italy and it has been stupendous.
“Having come here to complete a mission, today I can calmly accept that my career is over.
“Sunday evening will be difficult because San Siro has become my home, but I am happy with everything I have done for this club.â€
Channel4