QUOTE
16/10/2007 20:53
Berlusconi Admits Ronaldinho Defeat?
AC Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi finally seems to have given up in his chase to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho...
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that Ronaldinho seems virtually unsignable, the Barcelona star being treated just like his own prized asset, Kaka.
During a live chat with Gazzetta dello Sport website readers, Berlusconi declared, "[Ronaldinho] is for Barcelona as Kaka is for us: not for sale.
"I've spoken personally with the Barcelona president [Joan Laporta] and I suggested, in jest, that they could allow Ronaldinho to play for a year in Milan and, the following year, I'd permit Kaka to go to Barcelona alongside Ronaldinho.
"Laporta replied that, if he sold Ronaldinho, he'd no longer be the president of Barcelona!"
Berlusconi continued, "There are certain players who are only sold for the economic needs of their clubs.
"But what i can say is that, should there come a day when Ronaldinho is up for sale, Milan will be at the front of the queue."
As for Kaka, the president announced, "He's doing well with us, and he's never expressed any wish of leaving, and he'll continue to wear the colours of Milan with pride.
"There is no economic offer that could make me change my mind, and I won't be able to change to 'no'.
"Andriy Shevchenko? He left for family reasons, as he requested.
"I maintain a parental relationship with him, and I've spoken on a number of issues with him, such as his family."
"Football is like woman: irrational. That's why we like them both," he added, in a typically sexist Berlusconi flourish.
The president moved on to discuss sporting director Ariedo Braida, ruing just one decision made by the veteran Milanese.
"The only mistake that I can attribute to him is not moving for [Zinedine] Zidane. We bought [Christophe] Dugarry but somehow missed that incredible talent," he said.
"How can one not be enamoured with Zizou after seeing him play?"
After waxing lyrical on Pato, he moved on to Dida.
"I think he's a great goalkeeper and the whole team's alongside him," he said.
"It's difficult to get into the mind of a player when certain things occur. Even great champions can err.
"And the San Siro? I won't move from it.
"I'm in love with the San Siro, which is the most beautiful stadium in the world.
"If we built a stadium then our San Siro would be a cathedral in the desert; we cannot let that happen."
Berlusconi, the famously outspoken former Italian Prime Minister, took the reins at Milan in 1986.
Berlusconi Admits Ronaldinho Defeat?
AC Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi finally seems to have given up in his chase to sign Barcelona star Ronaldinho...
AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that Ronaldinho seems virtually unsignable, the Barcelona star being treated just like his own prized asset, Kaka.
During a live chat with Gazzetta dello Sport website readers, Berlusconi declared, "[Ronaldinho] is for Barcelona as Kaka is for us: not for sale.
"I've spoken personally with the Barcelona president [Joan Laporta] and I suggested, in jest, that they could allow Ronaldinho to play for a year in Milan and, the following year, I'd permit Kaka to go to Barcelona alongside Ronaldinho.
"Laporta replied that, if he sold Ronaldinho, he'd no longer be the president of Barcelona!"
Berlusconi continued, "There are certain players who are only sold for the economic needs of their clubs.
"But what i can say is that, should there come a day when Ronaldinho is up for sale, Milan will be at the front of the queue."
As for Kaka, the president announced, "He's doing well with us, and he's never expressed any wish of leaving, and he'll continue to wear the colours of Milan with pride.
"There is no economic offer that could make me change my mind, and I won't be able to change to 'no'.
"Andriy Shevchenko? He left for family reasons, as he requested.
"I maintain a parental relationship with him, and I've spoken on a number of issues with him, such as his family."
"Football is like woman: irrational. That's why we like them both," he added, in a typically sexist Berlusconi flourish.
The president moved on to discuss sporting director Ariedo Braida, ruing just one decision made by the veteran Milanese.
"The only mistake that I can attribute to him is not moving for [Zinedine] Zidane. We bought [Christophe] Dugarry but somehow missed that incredible talent," he said.
"How can one not be enamoured with Zizou after seeing him play?"
After waxing lyrical on Pato, he moved on to Dida.
"I think he's a great goalkeeper and the whole team's alongside him," he said.
"It's difficult to get into the mind of a player when certain things occur. Even great champions can err.
"And the San Siro? I won't move from it.
"I'm in love with the San Siro, which is the most beautiful stadium in the world.
"If we built a stadium then our San Siro would be a cathedral in the desert; we cannot let that happen."
Berlusconi, the famously outspoken former Italian Prime Minister, took the reins at Milan in 1986.
I really like hearing Silvio talk,...it was time,..
(source: goal.com)
