Sitting opposite Kaka, the first thing that strikes you is the contrast between the tranquil person in front of you, and the driven, powerful, often unstoppable player who incites passions the world over with his skill, speed and elegance.
One cannot but think of the numerous spectacular goals the newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner and FIFA World Player of the Year nominee has scored, in particular the ten netted in last season's edition of the UEFA Champions League, including three in Milan's semi-final victory over Manchester United. Unsurprisingly, this goal haul made him the competition's top scorer and went a long way to helping his side claim the continent's top trophy, and with it UEFA's coveted slot at Japan 2007.
Listening to his down-to-earth answers and intelligent reasoning, you quickly realise that Kaka is no ordinary individual, but instead a young man perfectly suited to the environment and era in which he finds himself. The only question now is whether he and Milan can go on to conquer the world.
FIFA.com: Kaka, with Japan 2007 just around the corner,
what are your expectations?
Kaka: I must admit I have a burning desire to win
the Club World Cup, especially with it being my second crack at
this title. I first played in it in 2003 - the format was different
then - and I haven't forgotten our defeat that year to Boca
Juniors. This time, my team-mates and I will be hugely motivated to
see that things work out right for us. I'm sure we are up to
the challenge.
Now that you mention Boca. Can you envisage another final
against the Argentinians?
Let's take it one step at a time. First we have a
semi-final to contest, even if we don't know yet who we'll
be facing in it. I think it would be really nice but also risky if
we came up against the home side [Urawa Red Diamonds] in our
opening game. With them enjoying home advantage, they'd be sure
to have a huge backing. If I'm honest, though, I love
performing to packed stadiums in front of an enthusiastic and
passionate fans, even when it's at our opponents'
grounds.
Staying with Boca for a moment, it augurs well for a
possible clash with the Argentinians that their nickname is the
Xeneizes (the Genoese). This year in Serie A, Milan have fared very well against the teams from Genoa, who they have often struggled against in the
past.
Let's hope that little coincidence brings us luck in
Japan. But yes, we played magnificently away to Sampdoria and Genoa
and won comprehensively on both occasions. That said, we've
been lacking a bit of consistency in the league, although I'm
convinced we'll arrive in Japan in excellent condition. If we
make the final and end up facing the Argentinians, we'll have
to reproduce the best form we've shown this season; in other
words decisiveness as well as quality and creativity. The same
would apply if we were to meet the Tunisians (Etoile Sahel) or the
Mexicans (Pachuca).
Milan will play their semi-final on 13 December at the
International Stadium Yokohama, which is also the venue for the
final. It's a stadium you have fond memories of we imagine.
Very much so. It was there that Brazil won the
World Cup in 2002 after beating Germany in the final. It's a
day I'll never forget and one I hope to experience again at
South Africa 2010.
Perhaps even at the edition after that, which will take
place in your native Brazil.
By then, I'll be 32, but
Getting back to the FIFA Club World Cup, after winning the
last three editions, Brazil's teams are conspicuous by their
absence this year.
Another way to look at it is, with an Argentinian
side as our main rivals this year and so many Brazilians at Milan,
it will be down to our team to continue the success enjoyed by my
compatriots in recent years. Sure, there are other Serie A sides
with Brazilians in their ranks, but at Milan, with Cafu, Emerson,
Ronaldo, Dida and the rest, I feel like I'm part of a
mini-national team.
If the
Rossoneri do reach the final, club president Silvio
Berlusconi plans to jet out to Japan ahead of the big day. Is this a measure of the importance
the club are placing on this competition?
The expectation is building by the day. I only need to think
of the courage of [Rino] Gattuso or the desire and willpower of
[Paolo] Maldini to realise we're going to win it. We're a
tight-knit group and the squad is made up of genuine champions with
the experience that comes with winning everything the game has to
offer. There is no sense of envy among us. From the moment I
arrived here four years ago, I've never had the slightest
problem. I feel I've blended in well and I know I play a very
significant part out on the pitch. On the other hand, I'm well
aware that individuals rarely win you things; it's always the
team.
For AC Milan, and even yourself, victory in Japan could be the culmination of a fantastic era. Can you see
yourself leaving Milan some day?
I have a contract with Milan with a long time still
to run on it, and I feel happy here. I belong to an institution
that has enabled me to realise my dreams. Moreover, in a few months
time, my wife is due to give birth to our baby. Here I feel
appreciated and I'm surrounded by fellow Brazilians, with whom
I share a small but very unified community. To tell you the truth,
the thought of leaving has never even entered my head, even though
in football, there are not many things you can be really sure
about. Even with something as simple as food, here in Italy you eat
exceptionally well. My favourite dish is pasta, and I can't
imagine there's anywhere where they do better pasta dishes.
Would you consider returning to play in your homeland one
day, what with the economy starting to recover again?
It would be wonderful to have such an opportunity in the
years to come. In Brazil, there are many, many players, and they
all want to come to Europe, as here we have the richest and most
prestigious leagues in the world. Nevertheless, I think it will be
many years before the current situation changes.
To sum up, what does the FIFA Club World Cup mean to
you?
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