Kaka's map to AthensKaka has urged Milan to bring in Andriy Shevchenko and Ronaldinho next season, revealing as a child he mapped out his career leading up to Athens.
“I chose Milan because in San Paolo I played alongside Leonardo for six months and he was constantly outlining how great the club was,†explained the 25-year-old who was snapped up for just over £5m in 2003.
“I was very young when I planned out my career. I was going to play for a big club in Brazil, then come to Europe, to Italy, take part in a World Cup and Olympics. At the end of the map was the Champions League Final.â€
He will play his second Final on May 23 against Liverpool, the same side that beat the Rossoneri in the 2005 edition on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
“Steven Gerrard is more important to them than Rafa Benitez. He is a great player, a leader on the field and a real focal point for Liverpool,†Kaka told the ‘Corriere dello Sport.’
Another Premiership player will be cheering on Milan, as the club invited Shevchenko to sit in the stands as their guest in Athens. Should the Ukrainian perhaps regret his decision to join Chelsea?
“I am pleased he’ll be there and I wouldn’t speak of a wrong choice. Perhaps in two or three years he will have won everything with Chelsea. Of course it’s worse for him to be in the stands cheering on his ex-teammates.
“It is also disappointing for me, because he is a great friend and a real champion. I would definitely like him back at Milan, so if the President decided to bring him in, I’d be happy.â€
Another star Kaka has publicly backed for a San Siro switch is his Brazil teammate Ronaldinho, who was on the end of a fan protest after Barcelona’s Copa del Rey debacle this week.
“He is a great player and there’s no secret we have an excellent rapport. Ronaldinho at Milan would be wonderful, as he’s one of the best in the world. His arrival would be positive both for me and the club.â€
If Ronaldinho is the subject of transfer speculation, then so is Kaka, as Real Madrid continue to offer record-breaking fees.
“I have said a thousand times that I have a contract with Milan until 2011 and will respect it. After the summer holidays, unless there are truly extraordinary decisions, I will be a Milan player.
“Only the club can sell me, so if they don’t opt to kick me out, I will remain. I am happy here and feel at home. My family feels good here too and I have the opportunity to learn a great deal.â€
Already the Champions League top scorer, Kaka is the hot favourite to pick up the Ballon d’Or at the end of 2007.
“I am in good form as I reached the top at the right time, but I know that overall I can and must improve. It is an individual prize and I leave it to the media to make that decision. In any case, to win the Ballon d’Or you need a team behind you and this is why I am only focused on Athens.â€
Channel4