A RECIPROCAL BONDING

As soon as he arrived in Milan, Ricky went towards Piazza del Duomo to show the Golden Ball to his fans and to thank them for contributing day by day to this great success. – THE PRESS CONFERENCE –

MILAN – These are the declarations of Kaka and Adriano Galliani during the press conference which was held last night at the arrival of the 2007 Golden Ball at the headquarters of Bwin at the Piazza del Duomo in Milan.

KAKA':
"I’m really happy to have received this award. Today it was an unforgettable day for me, but unfortunately it came to an end. In a day like this, you never get tired and only think about the nice things of the past and when tonight I will arrive home I will think, ‘unfortunately it’s over!’. I was excited this morning, then the award was handed to me in a city like Paris, in France, everything influenced. The first days I will keep this trophy close to me for sure, I think next to my night table.”

Ricky, was there ever a player you admired when you were a kid?
“Yes, there was a player who played with San Paolo and he was called Rai. When I was much younger, he was an example for me, he was the number one of the team and he won a lot and taught me a lot.”

When did you understand that Milan was the team for you?
“I always said that I want to become the symbol of this club, to be the captain one day, obviously respecting all of hierarchies of the case. Everyone has always misunderstood my talk when I say that my future depends on God’s will, but I want to remain at Milan.”

What affect does this award have for Brazilian and Italian football?
“I’m the fourth player after Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. I think that for Brazilian football is a nice thing. Then I believe that the possibility to win this award is bigger when playing in a winning team like Milan and a national team like the Verdeoro. Italian football is going through a delicate and difficult moment, but still remains a very competition football and this win can be very important.”

Ricky, with this award you become a perfect lad.
“Perfect no, I’m a contemporary lad, I do all the things that the other lads of my age do. I have my values, like the family – a value which I like a lot – and faith. For my defects you have to ask my parents and my brother.”

Who do you want to dedicate this Golden Ball to?
“I dedicate it to every person who has contributed in all of these years, to those who were close to me in my life and in my career. To all of these I give a piece of this Golden Ball. Many have been close to me, have supported me also from abroad and I want to thank all of these for this.”

Did you speak to President Berlusconi?
“The President was very happy about the fact that another of his players won this award and he hopes to bring more of these to the club.”

What excited you most?
“Seeing all of these fans outside waiting for me, there are no words to describe such a big and special emotion. I would have liked to hug them one by one because even they are part of this success. I did not expect all of these people.”

Do you also expect the FIFA World Player?
“I wouldn’t know, they told me I’m in the top three. I hope to finish this year in a wonderful way, maybe also winning in Japan, even though it will not be so easy, but it would be the perfect ending for this year. However, my motivation is that of winning again all that I have already won so far. Even though the next Golden Ball will be of a Milan player, we would all be happy because it would mean that Milan won again.”

ADRIANO GALLIANI:

“I hope that other Golden Balls arrive to Milan soon. Like the President of ‘France Football’ said, the Golden Ball is won by the player who proves Fair Play both on and off the pitch, and if Ricky has become like this we must also thank his parents. Therefore I thank mum and dad, who maybe did not teach him how to play football, but taught him to be a well-mannered boy and with great values, and I believe that this is fundamental for today’s footballers because they have substituted the Hollywood stars and have become models for the children, therefore they need to be positive models.”

For us Kaka is a reason of joy, pride, excitement and commotion. I’m really happy, just like President Berlusocni, of Riccardo’s desire to remain at Milan for a long time. I think that it will be a reciprocal commitment from Riccardo and the club. Let’s hope that Ricky ends as late as possible his tie with Milan, and he’s still a child as he only has 25 years of age. It’s a present we want to give to our fans.”