Kaka has spoken ahead of AC Milan’s trip to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, lifting the lid on what it means to play in such a big fixture.
The game between the Rossoneri and Los Blancos at the Sntiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night will see the two teams with the most European Cups/Champions League titles go head to head.
If anyone knows what it means for both clubs then it is Kaka, given that he played for both and he is one of the nine players to win the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or.
Of course Real Madrid will be the favourites going into the game given the quality they boast and the fact they are the defending champions, but Milan will hope for a shock like the 3-2 win in the Spanish capital in 2009-10.
Kaka gave an interview to Milan TV that was released a couple of days before the game and his comments were relayed by MilanNews.
“Playing in the Champions League is already something special. Then playing against big teams is always a unique experience,” he said.
“Having this opportunity to play Real Madrid-Milan is a very beautiful experience for a footballer, there are certainly a lot of motivations. Wearing the Milan shirt must already be a huge motivation, but facing big teams like Real Madrid… There is something different.
“Carlo [Ancelotti], with all the history he has with Milan both as a player and as a coach, I think it will be a meeting with a lot of emotions for both teams.
“I am very happy that Morata is at Milan. He is a great guy, and as a player he is a champion. What he did this summer with Spain, winning as captain… He can certainly give Milan many beautiful things.
“He called me because he wanted to play with the No.22 shirt, I told him that the shirt is not mine but the team’s, and it would certainly represent it well. However, in the end he decided to take another number.
“It was very nice of him to show this respect towards the shirt I played with for my entire career at Milan. I wish him the best, that he can win matches and titles, and do something special for us Milan fans.”