In September 2000, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite dived into a swimming pool that was not deep enough, cracked his spine and was considered fortunate not to be left paralysed for life. During the long road to recovery, he made a list of 11 things he wanted to achieve in his life. Now only one remains unfulfilled. On Wednesday night in Athens, he will have a chance to put that right.

Ahead of a UEFA Champions League final reunion with Liverpool, the Brazilian, better known as Kaka, who is the top scorer in this season's competition, tells FIFA.com about the importance of his religious faith, how he has improved as a player this season, why the best is yet to come, and how he plans to fulfil his destiny and help AC Milan become continental champions for a seventh time.

FIFA.com: You are not the only footballer to talk openly about a belief in God, but it appears that for you it is especially central to your life?
Kaka: During my upbringing the Bible played a big role. The gospel is very important for me, not only as a person but also as a footballer. It's part of me and my existence, but of course working hard and training intensively are also important - we all have to do that. But whenever the impossible becomes possible, then my belief and faith in God helps me. That is something I know for sure.

You now seem much better able to cope with the physical aspects of the game than when you first came to Europe. Is that something you have had to do a lot of work on?
I've been doing extra workouts to become stronger. At my last club Sao Paulo I began with power training and at Milan I continued and now I'm physically in great shape for football at this level. So even after a long season with lots of matches, I don't feel tired.

That must be a real advantage with the UEFA Champions League final coming up?
Being perfectly honest we never thought we'd be champions of Italy after the eight-point deduction, so we just wanted to make sure that we finished third or fourth to enable us to play in the Champions League next season. In that respect, we have been more focused on the European matches.

AC Milan went through a sticky patch during the winter, but overall this has been a great season for the team and it seems as if you have been preparing to peak at the right time.
That's a fair analysis, but we didn't plan it that way. Though of course we are happy that we are now at our strongest at a point where we will have to play the biggest match of our campaign. 

And your own form has been exceptional, especially in the Champions League.
I think that I can still improve but I do feel that I'm playing better than before. It's difficult to pin down the specific aspects that I can still improve, but I feel that you can always become better. I aim to show that this is possible next season.

Another AC Milan player who has been in exceptional form is Clarence Seedorf. You seem to have struck up a terrific partnership in midfield.
For Milan, it's essential that Clarence plays and when he does he performs well at the highest level. Against Bayern Munich he played a super game, and he was also fantastic against Manchester United. If you can do that, then you're a big player.

Do you regard Wednesday's final as a revenge match, given Milan's defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final?
No, that's not the case. Liverpool beat us then and apparently they had the right to win the title then. So now we have to show that we have the right to claim the prize. I'm focused only on winning the match and it has nothing to do with revenge. I want to make history by making sure that my name and the name of my club AC Milan are remembered as winners of the 2006/2007 Champions League. We have put all past matches behind us, as it doesn't help to analyse where it went wrong. That's pointless. The only thing that encounter proved is that, in football, everything is possible. We now have two years more experience and have played numerous top-level matches since then; that's something we will benefit from, particularly the younger players like me.

Carlo Ancelotti has said he will do everything possible to avoid a penalty shootout. Presumably that is a sentiment that you share?
I can understand that. This season I've already missed one against Fiorentina, and though I scored in the last final against Liverpool, the result still went against us. I can't believe that any team would be happy about, or plan for, a penalty shootout. Okay, Liverpool beat Chelsea that way (in this season's semi-finals) but I'm sure they would have preferred to have done so in normal time. I've seen Liverpool regularly this season and I think that they're a very good team. Tactically, they are almost perfect and the coaching is very good. On top of that they have a typical English spirit.

Which Liverpool players have impressed you most?
Steven Gerrard is without a doubt the big organiser and animator. If he was not in the team on Wednesday I would be very happy.

You are the top scorer in this season's competition with ten goals. That is a very good return for an attacking midfielder.
Scoring goals isn't my target. I am and always will be the playmaker. But of course it's nice to have scored so many. During the final I'm only concerned with winning and certainly not with who scores for us.

Turning to speculation regarding your future, it has been reported that Real Madrid remain interested in you. Would a move to Spain interest you?
I often get asked this question, but as long as I play for Milan, I always give the same answer: I have a contract until 2011 and I'll respect that contract. If Milan say they want to sell me, then and only then will I think about leaving. 

Your younger brother Digao is also in Italy now, playing for Rimini in Serie B. And between AC and Inter Milan, there are nine other Brazilians playing in the city. Does that make it feel something of a home from home?
Of course that helps immensely (having my brother here). As for the Brazilian players who play for Inter, naturally we're all aware of the rivalry between the clubs but that doesn't affect us, as we're all friends. Away from football we see one another frequently. If some of us play in a different shirt that isn't important; it doesn't matter when you're friends.

AC Milan's vice president Adriano Galliano recently said he would like Andriy Shevchenko to return to the San Siro. Shevchenko is due to be in Athens to watch you play on Wednesday. Would you like to have him back in the side?
I know that it will be difficult for him seeing his friends playing while he is only able to watch from the stand. But I'm happy that we don't have him as an opponent as Andriy is still a very good footballer. I'd be very pleased to see him come back to Milan again, but I've got no say in that decision.

There has been talk of Ronaldinho coming to AC Milan. Is that something that you would welcome?
If they could get him, I'd be very happy. Ronaldinho is the best of them all and for the club he'd be a fantastic addition. We have a good relationship and we speak often. So for me, he can come any time. Just think about it. It would be fantastic if we had a team with Ronaldinho, Shevchenko and Ronaldo. Like everyone else I want to play with the best players.