It has been a magical 12 months for Kaka. In the most prolific
phase of his stellar career to date, the AC Milan and Brazil
midfielder has won the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World
Cup and the Ballon d'Or. Yet even though the plaudits and
prizes continue to come his way, the willowy playmaker remains his
usual calm self, refusing to let his steady ascent to footballing
greatness alter his relaxed outlook on life. And on another very
special evening in the life of Kaka,
FIFA.com chatted exclusively to the man himself.
FIFA.com:How do you feel about being a finalist for the FIFA World
Player of the Year award?
Kaka: It's a wonderful feeling. To be among the
top three players in the world is a dream come true, something that
every footballer aspires to, to reach the top like this. It makes
me feel extremely happy.
The Ballon d'Or award is voted for by football writers,
whereas the national team captains and coaches decide the winner of
this accolade.Does that make them feel different?
They are very different awards. It's important to win
acclaim from the critics and the media, but also from coaches and
players too. And this year I've been lucky enough to have the
support of both.
What is your opinion of your fellow finalists: Lionel Messi
and Cristiano Ronaldo?
They are two great players with an incredible talent and
wonderful futures in front of them. They are very young too. In
fact at 25 I'm the oldest of the three. That just shows you
that a highly talented new generation is coming through.
You have had an amazing year. What has been the highlight
out of all the successes you have had?
I think I'd have to go for the Champions League, which
was a milestone in my life, a real high point. It's the most
important club championship there is.
You are one of the best players in the world, an
inspiration to many. Just what is it that drives Kaka on?
The player who inspired me as a child was always Rai, who
played for Sao Paulo and Paris Saint Germain. When I was growing
up, he was the star figure in the great Sao Paulo team that won so
many titles. Back then Rai was the one I wanted to emulate.
What is your dream for 2008?
My objective is to keep on winning. The Champions League is
the biggest trophy there is but the Italian league is a priority
too. AC Milan have a great side that should always be looking to
win, and this season we're determined to go and lift both
titles.
The team are doing just fine on the international scene but
are struggling in Serie A. What is the problem?
We're going through a difficult spell in the championship
but we still haven't been able to identify the problem. Milan
are always there or thereabouts in international tournaments and
we're trying hard to turn things around at home. I'm
confident we'll sort it out soon and that Milan will be back
fighting hard as usual.
You are becoming more of a leader in the Brazil team. How
are you coping with that?
Every time I achieve something I feel I'm taking on
more and more responsibility for my club and my country. But
it's something I've learnt to handle and it's not a
problem for me at all.
The FIFA World Cup™ returns to Brazil in 2014. As a
Brazilian what expectations do you have?
It's a source of great happiness and I can't wait for
it to happen. I don't know if I'll be too old by then but
it's something I'm aiming for. It's going to be
extremely important for the development of Brazil, though, and a
great event for the people. The country's already building up
for it and it's going to be a great World Cup.
What have you learned from the mistakes of Germany
2006?
That talent on its own is not enough to win and that you have
to prepare well if you want to win important competitions. I think
we need to focus more on our preparations.
