Kaka makes his priorities clear at Real Madrid

New Delhi: Real Madrid’s new signing, Kaka, has conducted his first press conference since being unveiled as the new Bernabeu No. 8.

Why He Left Milan For Madrid

The attacking midfielder took the chance to explain why he left AC Milan, and why he chose to come to the Spanish capital.

"Milan opened the door to negotiations for the first time. It was a time of world crisis, this was back in January," he explained.

"After the season finished, they said again there were some offers and they had to begin the transfer negotiation procedure again. So then I said I would love to go to Real Madrid if at some point Milan decided to let me go.

"Today for me was incredible, unforgettable - not only in my life but the lives of many other people. It was historical for me.

"I chose Madrid because it appeals to me in every way. When i talk to my colleagues from the national team, they always talk to me about Real Madrid. I had this information and that's why I decided that one day, if I left Milan, it would be to play for Real Madrid, and now it has come true."

The Perez Project

Kaka moved on to discuss why he chose to come to the club inder the leadership of president Florentino Perez, who apparently promised a new-look team.

"When Florentino contacted me, he didn't say specific names - he spoke about a big sporting project, and that is something that made a big impact on me.

"Everything he did during his previous era, he repeated some of those guidelines and they conviced me me. I said, "President, I see where you're coming from."

"He spoke to me about another very important player that would be joining the ranks of Real Madrid, namely Cristiano Ronaldo. I was very pleased, because he comes from a great team. We're all joining a great team.

"We're all joining a great team. I'm joining one of the greatest teams. It would mean I would be playing alongside some of the best players in the world: Iker Casillas, Guti, the Dutch players, all the players who are part of this great team.

"It is a great responsibility, but that's not something that is negative for me - it's only a source of motivation.

PAGE_BREAK

"I understand that I'm an important signing, I also understand that during my life I have played for great teams, but I also understand I wanted to join a team where I could keep on doing this."

Cristiano Ronaldo – A Rival?

Journalists at the conference wished to know about how his relationship will be with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. Would there be jostling for limelight?

Kaka said, "Once again, it's not a responsibility, or a 'weight', but a privilege. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greats, and he has done really well with Manchester United, and has had two great seasons in the Champions League.

"It's not just about him, but also Raul, who has won so many trophies with Real Madrid, and all the new players: I'm happy to be with them all.

"From what I'm seeing right now, I have to say that talent alone is not enough. I have been in many teams that have had loads of talent but did not make it through and been with teams that did not have that much talent and ended up being champions.

"We have something going really positive for us, that there are players who will fight for the colours and the badge of Real Madrid, which will work to our advantage.

"Will CR7 be a rival," he repeated rhetorically, looking over at Jorge Valdano, as if looking to stem the tide of the same question coming from the press. "There is no rivalry, he will be a team-mate, and we're compatible players and of course we're going to be able to play together.

"And off the pitch, there's no rivalry. This is not the way I am, and not the way I see life and football.

"We are both winners, we both have the same ambitions, so I think we both have the same objectives."

Quickfire

On Real Madrid Goalscoring

"Oh, you'll see the first goal! I'm not worried about that at all."

On Challenging Barcelona

"I'm sure we ready to challenge them. This is something that depends not only on the project, but also on how we do against them head to head."

On Coach Manuel Pellegrini

"I haven't yet spoken to him, but I'm anxiously waiting for that moment to arrive."

PAGE_BREAK

What Did Alfredo Di Stefano Say?

"He said a lot of things - one of the most interesting was when he asked how this place compared to the Maracana."

On The Future

"First of all, ever since the first moment I landed in Europe, things are in continuous development and they change from year to year.

"I have a contract here, it's six years long, and it depends how things go. Who knows? I might extend it, but then after my contract is over, I might go back. Who knows what will happen?"

On Carlo Ancelotti's Late Offer To Bring Kaka To Chelsea

"I was very sincere, I thanked him for all the time we had worked and been together, and for everything he allowed me to win, but that I had made my decision, and I thanked him very much."

On The Possible Arrivals Of Xabi Alonso, Franck Ribery, David Villa

"As I said before, when Florentino, the president, spoke to me first, he didnt speak of names, he spoke of a project.

"All those players that you mentioned are leading players and players that would fit right into Real Madrid."

On Who He Spoke To About The Move

"The first person i spoke to was my father, and Adriano Galliani, who has a great relationship with Florentino. Those are the first people I spoke to.

"I had already been here in 2002, and I had already met Florentino during the centenary celebration of Madrid."

On His Transfer Fee

"It is not for me to judge the market value accorded to me. That's what they paid for me - that's it."

Will Real Madrid Play In Japan?

"I have excellent memories of Japan. We won our world cup in 2002 and I won there the Intercontinental Cup with Milan in 2007. What the club decides to do is managed by the club, but I hope one day we would go to Japan. I would love that."

On Previous Offers

"All the times that there was news surrounding me, I always said, please talk to my club. Of course I met with Milan and said it would be up to them to decide. It is true that I had offers from Real Madrid and many other clubs in the past, but it was Milan who always dealt with that."