World Events

Stars

China

Basketball

Soccer

Tennis

N.America

Olympics

Kaka leaves on good terms

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-10 09:36

RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian playmaker Kaka said on Monday that he was leaving AC Milan for Real Madrid on good terms and he understood that financial worries had forced the Italian club to sell him.

Brazil's soccer player Kaka practices during a training in Recife, Brazil, Tuesday, June 9, 2009. Brazil will face Paraguay in a World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer game in Recife on Wednesday.[Agencies]

"I'm not disappointed in my relationship with Milan," he told reporters in the Brazil team hotel in Recife at a news conference broadcast live on television.

Related readings:  Kaka's move to Spain sparks fears of mass exodus from Serie A  Kaka completes transfer to Real Madrid  Berlusconi: Kaka decision set for Monday  Kaka signs for Real Madrid - radio

"There has never been a (financial) crisis like this one, I understand perfectly the club's position and I'm very grateful to Milan and the president," added Kaka, who joined the Rossoneri in 2003.

The 27-year-old has agreed to a six-year contract to join Real, which reports have said involves a transfer fee of around 68 million euros ($94.27 million), the second biggest ever. Zinedine Zidane joined Real from Juventus for around 73 million euros in 2001.

"I've won everything that I wanted as a player and this is a new motivation for me," Kaka said.

"The club needed to make this sacrifice, and I understand this very well. I don't blame the club for this.

"Everything I've done for Milan has been by mutual agreement, from the moment I arrived until my departure today.

"I'm leaving by the front door."

Kaka, who scored in a 4-0 win in Uruguay on Saturday, is with Brazil's squad for the World Cup qualifier at home to Paraguay on Wednesday.

He said he was sure he could help his new club, overshadowed this season by treble-winning Barcelona, become a major force in Spanish and European soccer again.

"I'm sure Real Madrid will build a competitive team which can start winning titles again as they have always done throughout the club's history," he said.

"I'm sure Real can become major competitors in Spain and in European football."

Kaka brushed off a suggestion that he could wear the coveted No 5 shirt previously worn by Zidane and said the Frenchman would be an example to him.

"I don't know what number, I'll take my time choosing it and I'll respect the numbers," he said.

"I'm grateful for the 5 (suggestion), but I think Zidane is Zidane. To avoid any type of comparison, I'm going to try and write my own history. But Zidane will serve as an example to me."

He also had encouraging words for Milan's new coach Leonardo.

"Leonardo will have been a player, director and coach of the same club and I don't think many have achieved that.

"I hope I'm helping because there will be some money coming into the till. Leonardo has the ability to keep Milan on the right track."

Reuters