AC Milan legend Ricardo Kaka has insisted that he can’t wait for the club to be back in the Champions League, praising Stefano Pioli, the project and the players.
Kaka joined Milan in 2003 and experienced pain when the team lost the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul against Liverpool despite being the top assist provider of the tournament. He led Milan to win the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League in Athens and was the tournament’s top goal scorer.
His crowning moment was probably the 2007 Ballon d’Or, as well as the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award. After six years with the Rossoneri, Kaká joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a transfer fee of over €60m. The Brazilian knows what it means to win at Milan.
Kakà was a guest on AC Milan’s Twitch channel as they went live for a 50,000 subscriber special hosted by Lorenzo Lollo and Mauro Suma, and he spoke about a number of different topics related to the club.
“I’m sorry to be the last AC Milan scorer in the Champions League, but on the other hand I like it because it’s always a good memory. I can’t wait for Milan to come back, to cheer you on, to win one more,” he said (via MilanNews).
“We are very close, there are four difficult games left and there is the very important match against Pirlo’s Juve. Milan are capable, they can win against Juve can return to the Champions League. This is what I hope and what all the fans are hoping for.”
On Juventus-Milan: “If Zlatan plays, who has had an important season, it’s up to him to take the victory against Juve and bring this team to the Champions League. Ibra-CR7 comparison? I see a match between two teams that have great talent, great players; the two will be protagonists, but there are many external ingredients that will charge the two teams.”
On the Milan project: “This year I was able to see many matches, not just Milan which is my priority. I saw a really nice team, which started the season very strong; it’s normal for the young age of the team to lose a little to the end. Now it takes a little more experience, with those players like Ibra who can give support to young people: in our Milan there was this mix of youth and experience.
“I see a very strong team: I’m happy for Ibra and for Maldini, who is working not only for the present but also for the future. Pioli is very good, because he is knowing how to take the best out of every player. Now we are at the decisive moment: we hope they will be able to bring out the best for this purpose season.”
On being an example: “I am very happy to be one for everyone, both for those who want to be footballers and for those who want to make their dreams come true. It fills me with pride: my history with Milan is truly a unique thing, I sleep happy to be able to pass on to these guys what I have experienced. I miss you very much, I love you, I hope to be able to return to Italy soon to watch the matches at San Siro with you.”
On being a symbol of Milan: “I can’t put into words what it means. As the years go by, you can feel a little more what you experienced. When I watch the games I say ‘One day this city was ours’. it was a very special moment in my life.”
On his memories of Juventus-Milan: “My first Juve-Milan in Turin, the year in which we won the Scudetto. There are others: the one at San Siro in which I scored an overhead kick, there is that of Cannavaro’s foul with which we could have won the league. I have good memories, playing this match has always been an immense pleasure.”
A final greeting: “Forza Milan always! Good luck for the boys for Juventus. We hope to see them soon in the Champions League.”
READ MORE: Milan ready to explore €17m deal as Solskjaer is happy to sell Man Utd defender
Ricardo Kaka was a good player and ok now it’s nice to see him cheering for AC.Milan. Kaka has to know that real fans always have to say what’s wrong with the club, and that’s Pioli. Pioli did a lot of damage in Milan and this was shown this second season since December because all the clubs adapted to the game without the audience and got in shape, which showed that Pioli is not really a good coach. Pioli cannot stay on the AC.Milana bench because that would be tantamount to suicide if AC.Milan allowed Pioli to stay. I think that Pioli should be surgically removed from AC Milan because he is like a cancer.
Pioli should leave and Maldini should also leave because i hate his nepotism. This Milan management loves failure & backwardness. I totally agree with any player who refuses to renew his contract with this stupid management board.
I want #MAURO TASSOTTI. I’ll keep clamouring over this man’s name until milan hears me out. Bunch of idiots!