Kaká

[LuNo]

Manchester United - Milan

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Fiori, Storari.

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Costacurta, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic.

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf.

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, R. Oliveira.

[LuNo]

[LuNo]

[LuNo]

Best Of Both Worlds - Kaká & Ronaldo

What have Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká got in common? Both are in their twenties and have Portuguese as their mother tongue. Both have been hailed by knowledgeable observers as the best players in the world at the moment. Both have made more than 40 appearances for their respective clubs. And those clubs - Manchester United and Milan - go head to head at Old Trafford tonight in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with both Ronaldo and Kaká tipped to be potential match-winners.

Best Of Both Worlds - Kaká & Ronaldo

The Name Game

And there are other parallels. Take their nicknames, for example. Both acquired theirs in slightly unusual circumstances.

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (born on April 22nd, 1982, in Brasília) is known as Kaká thanks to his younger brother Rodrigo, who could not pronounce the word "Ricardo" when they were little boys. Rodrigo called his older brother "Caca," and it stiuck, later being changed to "Kaká."

Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro was born on 5th February 1985 in Madeira, to mum Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and dad José Dinis Aveiro. Dad's favourite actor was one Ronald Reagan, who also enjoyed some success in politics as president of the United States for most of the 1980s. It was after Ron the movie star that Cristiano was given the second name by which he is now generally known. (One of his two elder sisters, Katia, is a singer who goes by the stage name "Ronalda" in Portugal).

Overcoming Adversity

Both players have had to overcome adversity in their careers - albeit of radically different sorts.

In September 2000, when he was just 18, Kaká suffered a career-threatening spinal injury in a swimming pool accident. It could have paralysed him, but he made a full recovery and a year later made his debut for Sao Paulo as a substitute in the Tornero Rio Final. With Sao Paulo trailing by one goal the coach took a gamble on Kaká with 14 minutes remaining. Within two minutes Kaká had scored twice to steer his team to a victory. The devout Kaká thanks God for his recovery and has since tithed his income to his church in gratitude.

Ronaldo has had to cope not with a broken back but a damaged reputation. Allegations of diving and the infamous wink as Wayne Rooney was sent off during England's World Cup quarter-final with England last summer probably deprived the Portuguese winger of the player of the tournament accolade, and certainly made him public enemy number one in the eyes of the English tabloid press.

In the aftermath of that match Ronaldo allegedly told the Spanish sports daily Marca that he thought he "should get out of Manchester as the circumstances are not right to keep playing there. I have told my agent I am prepared to leave."

But Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was never going to allow that, and with the club behind him Ronaldo has shrugged off the abuse and let his football do the talking, turning in his best-ever season on he pitch and actually seeming to draw inspiration from the negative vibes of the opposition fans.

Becoming Red Devils

By the summer of 2003 it was clear that neither Sao Paulo nor Sporting Clube de Portugal could hold on to their rising stars much longer; the question was, where would they go, and for how much?

Kaká joined AC Milan in 2003 for US $8.5 million (£4.2 million), a fee subsequently described as "peanuts" by Rossoneri owner Silvio Berlusconi. Within a month he was a fixture in the first-team, winning the Italian Serie A Championship and the European Super Cup in his first season (2003-04).

In summer 2003 Ferguson was looking for a new right-sided midfielder following David Beckham's exit for Real Madrid; Ronaldo was signed from Sporting for a fee of £12.24 million and made his debut for United as a 60th minute substitute against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford. Minutes after making his entrance, he earned a penalty that Jussi Jaaskelainen saved from Ruud van Nistelrooy, but United still cruised to a 4-0 win.

Blossoming In Manchester And Milan

After winning an FA Cup winner's medal in 2004 and a League Cup winner's medal in 2006, Ronaldo - who has played primarily as a winger for United on either flank - has been a pivotal figure for Ferguson's treble-chasing side this season. The dazzling technique and trickery has been harnessed to consistent end-product and Ronaldo has chimed in with 21 goals in all competitions, including 16 in the Premiership.

Ferguson had bet him he would not break through the 15-goal barrier but has been happy to pay out as Ronaldo kept scoring. Perhaps just as satisfying for United, though, has been the winger's all-round contribution. As well as his 21 goals, Ronaldo has been credited with 19 assists so far this season in all competitions.

Manager Ferguson says of his prodigy's progress: "I'm pleased for him because he works hard at his game. He's still learning the game. His ability to pass the ball has helped him this season. His passing has been very good. That just shows he is maturing. He's been fantastic, and he's getting better all the time."

Meanwhile Kaká has flourished at the San Siro. He quickly became an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti's five-man midfield in the 2004-05 season, typically in a withdrawn role just behind striker Andriy Shevchenko. He scored 7 goals in 36 Serie A appearances, and also won the Italian Super Cup. Milan finished second to Juventus in Serie A, and lost the Champions League final to Liverpool on penalties, but Kaká was voted the best midfielder of the Champions League tournament.

Last season Kaká scored a goal against Fenerbahçe in Milan's first game of the 2005-06 Champions League that was instantly compared to those of Diego Maradona, starting his run from midfield and swerving past three tackles before finishing with a low shot from inside the area, under the goalkeeper and into the net.

Coveted By Real Madrid

Both stars have been coveted from afar by Real Madrid, and in the uniquely arrogant way the Merengues have of conducting their would-be transfer activity, both players have been publicly courted by the White House.

They have both resisted.

In 2006, when Real wanted to buy, Milan refused to sell, well aware of the damage allowing Kaká to leave would do. The Brazilian star signalled his own intentions by signing a contract extension until 2011.

This Spring Madrid let it be known they would be willing to pay an unprecedented €80 million (£54 million) for Ronaldo, but on 13th April, the player signed a five-year, £120,000-a-week deal with United, making him the highest-paid player in United's history. Not surprisingly, Ronaldo said, "I am very happy at the club and I want to win trophies and hopefully we will do that this season." He added: "United have stood by me and been there for me and I want to repay that."

Individual Honours

In 2005, Ronaldo was named FIFPro Special Young Player of the Year, the only award to be voted for by fans. He received the same accolade in 2006.

Last weekend he received the titles of PFA Player and PFA Young Player of the Year Awards - recognition from his peers of his remarkable season so far.

Kaká was named Serie A Foreign Footballer of the Year in 2004 and again in 2006. In 2004-05 he was recognised as Best Midfielder in the Champions League.

Best In The World?

Kaká has been hailed by many experts and journalists as the best player in the world. The Brazilian magazine O`globo conducted a poll i which it asked readers, "Who's the best player in the world?" In the subsequent voting, Kaká received 81.5% of the votes, compared with Ronaldinho's 11%.

A panel of experts for Italian sports magazine Gazzeta dello sport also proclaimed Kaká as the best player in the world, and in November 2006, Milan coach Ancelotti said Kaká should win the golden ball that year.

Pelé has described him as having Brazilian technique combined with European strength, saying that is why he has been so successful in Italy.

Meanwhile, England midfielder Owen Hargreaves played against Kaká in the Champions League quarter-final, and against Ronaldo for England v Portugal at the World Cup. He is also likely to become a team-mate of Ronaldo's at Old Trafford next season.

He told BBC Sport: "Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best two players in the world at the moment.

"Kaká is not really about tricks, but he is a fantastic footballer. He has great physique, a great touch, and fantastic technique. He is also a great finisher and a good header of the ball with excellent balance.

"Kaka also seems extremely relaxed on the ball and that allows him to use his attributes accordingly."

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the pair as the best in the business at the moment, and Ronaldo has also received ringing endorsements from team-mate Rio Ferdinand and United legend Denis Law, who bracketed him with all-time great George Best.

[Aga]

[LuNo]

Thanks Aga

[LuNo]

Manchester United 3:2 Mialn

Goals:

1-0, Christiano Ronaldo, 5'

1-1, Kaka', 21'

1-2, Kaka', 36'

2-2, Rooney, 59'

3-2, Rooney, 90+1

[LuNo]

KAKA' DOUBLE NOT ENOUGH

Ricky Kakà scored twice for Milan at Old Trafford but it was Wayne Rooney who had the last word with a late winner in the Champions League semi-final first leg tie

A thrilling evening of football is guaranteed next week when Milan play Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie after Ricky Kakà's brace gave the Rossoneri two precious away goals, only to see Wayne Rooney score a late goal to give the English side a 3-2 victory.

The game had been billed as the duel between the best two players in the world: Kakà against Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the United winger who drew first blood with a header on five minutes but Ricky soon turned the game around with two goals before the break. The first came at the end of a precise through pass from Clarence Seedorf and the second was a piece of individual work along with a defensive mix-up which left the Brazilian star to finish coolly past the goalkeeper.

The second half saw Milan play more on the counter-attack but they could not keep Rooney at bay as the striker pounced twice to set-up another heart-stopping evening on May 2.

-ALL RICKY'S GOALS FOR THE 2006-2007 SEASON-

13-9-2006: Milan-Aek 3-0 (Champions League)

17-9-2006: Parma-Milan 0-2

17-10-2006: Anderlecht-Milan 0-1 (Champions League)

28-10-2006: Milan-Inter 3-4

1-11-2006: Milan-Anderlecht 4-1 - 3 goals (Champions League)

20-12-2006: Milan-Catania 3-0 - 2 goals

23-12-2006: Udinese-Milan 0-3

7-3-2007: Milan-Celtic 1-0 (Champions League)

3-4-2007: Milan-Bayern 2-2 (Champions League)

15-4-2007: Messina-Milan 1-3

18-4-2007: Ascoli-Milan 2-5 (2)

24-4-2007: Manchester Utd-Milan 3-2 -2 goals (Champions League)

[LuNo]

KAKA': ‘Anything is still possible’

Kakà gave an interview to Italian TV station Rai right after the game and here is what he had to say: ‘It is a bitter loss. However, now we are hoping that at home our fans will help us to qualify for the final. We closed up in the back in the second half when we were at 2-1. We made a few mistakes and now we must correct them. We are thinking about the return leg.’

[LuNo]

THE SAN SIRO CALLS

The Rossoneri affirmed that although they are not happy about the result from the first leg, they remain confident that a victory awaits them in the return with their fans at the San Siro

Here is what the Rossoneri players had to say at the end of the Manchester 3-2 Milan first leg tie:

MASSIMO AMBROSINI

‘We are completely confident, disappointed about how it finished but confident about the return leg. We sat back a bit too much and left the initiative too open for them. Having conceded that goal obliges us to make the return leg all ours. The 2-2 would have unconsciously made us play a waiting game. Instead, like this we know that we must win. Did we have problems at set pieces? It is just a matter of attention. We are ready for the return leg. I repeat, tonight we are disappointed but confident.’

SANDRO NESTA

‘It was a good first half. We stopped playing in the second half and that’s where we made the mistake. We thought that we were out of danger like happened against Munich, but it didn’t turn out that way. We will fight in the return leg. They were fired up tonight thanks to their fans, but the return leg will be just the opposite. We have great fans and that will be seen in the second leg. I want to say that we will do it, that we can do it.’

RINO GATTUSO

‘I am not doing great or else I wouldn’t have left the field. I can’t put weight on my foot. I will work hard to recover. I will work the entire week to be there for the second leg.’

KAKA'

‘I am happy with my goals, but sorry about the result. Just like I said before Bayern-Milan: we must take an important step at the San Siro to remain in the contest. I like my second goal better, but the first wasn’t bad either as it was a left-footed shot and that isn’t my foot. I came close with a third as well, but it didn’t go in. Too bad. I will prepare hard for the return leg. I think that our fans will be there to support us for this important and difficult game.’

[LuNo]

Kaka closes in on European award

Milan hero Kaka won the challenge with Cristiano Ronaldo in Manchester and spoke of his Ballon d’Or chances.

“I have always said the Ballon d’Or depends on what I do with Milan. First of all I think about the team, then secondly these personal rewards come as a consequence.”

The Brazilian netted a brace at Old Trafford despite the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final last night.

“They were two tough goals, but I could have scored the third in that move with Clarence. The ball got away from me and I couldn’t quite reach it.”

The second strike saw him humiliate the United defence, as his flicks forced Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze to collide.

“I saw that was my only opportunity to get to the ball, so I stuck my head in and hoped for the best.”

Kaka has to be a contender for the European Player of the Year award, as he is top scorer in the Champions League with nine goals in 11 games.

The Rossoneri appeared to be in control and were leading 2-1, but the Red Devils fought back to sneak a 3-2 stoppage-time win.

“I think it was a psychological problem. The whole team went deep and at the end of the day we paid for that, as Manchester have great movement and you need to really push them to keep United down,” added Kaka.

“I have full faith in my squad and believe Milan are the favourites. I already said after the Bayern first leg that to win the Champions League you need to play games that will enter the history books.

“We did that in Munich and will again on May 2. I have great confidence in our chances of reaching the Final.”

Milan kept their heads despite going a goal down almost immediately thanks to a Nelson Dida howler – and Kaka admitted there were worries after seeing Roma destroyed here 7-1 in the quarter-finals.

“After five minutes there is obviously the fear that Manchester can go goal crazy. This is why my equaliser was so important and I celebrated so much.

“Our thoughts ever so slightly went back to Roma, seeing how quickly they managed to score, but Milan showed character and kept going. That is what we should have done in the second half, too.”

[sandy]

Thanks Aga and LuNo

[Ange]

thank you Aga & Luno

[LuNo]

You're welcome Sandy & Ange

[LuNo]

Kaka hails AC Milan fans

Milan star Kaká hopes the Rossoneri fans will be their 12th man for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final with Manchester United.

The San Siro outfit hosts the Red Devils in the return leg and the Brazilian is hoping to feel the same magic atmosphere he found at Old Trafford last week.

“That game was a real spectacle and I am convinced the second leg will be another amazing match – perhaps even more amazing than the first one,” Kaká told uefa.com.

“I was impressed by the atmosphere inside Old Trafford, even at half-time when Manchester were losing 2-1 the United fans were still singing and cheering on their team,” explained the attacking midfielder.

“I am sure our fans will show the same kind of spirit. We haven’t enjoyed a great season, but our supporters have been brilliant and have been by our side throughout.”

Milan were defeated 3-2 thanks to a late goal by Wayne Rooney, but Kaká is confident that his side has a great chance of progressing to the Final in Athens.

“We left Old Trafford a little bit disappointed on Tuesday night because of the late goal we conceded, but not with our heads down.

“I don’t want to take anything away from the quality of United’s play and Rooney’s goal, it was an incredibly good finish.

“If the match had finished 2-2 I still feel we would have a mountain to climb, although those away goals are very important,” he explained.

“Losing the first leg is not the end of the world and I believe we have a great chance of turning the tie around at the San Siro,” concluded Kaká, the Champions League top scorer with nine goals.

In the meantime, Milan police chief Gian Valerio Lombardi confirmed that the sale of alcohol will be prohibited from 7am local time in the area surrounding the Stadium, city centre and Linate airport.

“The decision has been taken after incidents occurred in the past on the occasion of international ties, also due to the fact that supporters were allowed to buy alcohol before the match,” read an official statement.

Kick off is scheduled for 7.45pm GMT with the winners facing either Chelsea or Liverpool in the Final on May 23 in Athens and will be designated as the home team.

[LuNo]

MILAN - MANCHESTER UNITED

GOALKEEPERS: Dida, Kalac, Storari;

DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic;

MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Kaka , Pirlo, Seedorf;

STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliveira.

[LuNo]

Kaka not the only danger says Ferguson

MILAN (AFP) - Focussing solely on AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka could prove fatal said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the eve of their Champions League semifinal second leg clash.

United lead the clash 3-2 after a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford - Kaka scoring Milan's goals while Wayne Rooney got two of United's - but Ferguson was at pains to point out the Italian side possessed other dangers.

"Kaka played really well in Manchester, but we must pay attention to all the Milan players," said the veteran handler.

Ferguson's mantra was echoed by his Ireland international defender John O'Shea.

"We must not commit the error of focussing solely on Kaka," said O'Shea, who was on the scoresheet last Saturday when United all but sealed the Premiership title in beating Everton 4-2.

"He is an outstanding player, but if we think about him too much, there will be other Milan players who will take advantage."

Ferguson was bullish about his side holding on, ensuring an all England final in Athens later this month against either Liverpool or Chelsea, in contrast to two years ago when they lost 2-0 on aggregate (1-0 in both legs) to AC Milan in the knockout stages.

"This time we have a better chance at the San Siro than in 2005.

"I am more optimistic."

Ferguson said that United would have to be at their most focussed and determined if they were to prevail.

"I agree with Carlo Ancelotti (AC Milan coach)," said the feisty Scot.

"We will have to be at our best both in terms of concentration and determination for 90 minutes.

"The players will have to conserve their energy and get good possession so we can keep our advantage."

Ferguson admitted it was a concern for him that he had three pivotal players on yellow cards - Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Gabriel Heinze - meaning another booking and they would miss the final just as happened to Scholes and his then team-mate Roy Keane in the 1999 semi-final.

"It is a delicate situation but I can't ask them not to tackle," said Ferguson.

"We do have three important players on yellow cards but it is the same thing for Milan with Paolo Maldini.

"Nobody wants to miss the final, everybody wants to play in it.

"However I have confidence in the refereeing and the sportsmanship of the players."

[Angel717]

Kaka is a ONE-MAN RECKONING FORCE. :shock:

[Angel717]

ughhhh hes such a hot bitch i just want to do him on the field lol

goodness gracious! get a grip

[Wild Rose]

he was awesome last night!