RICKY’S JOY

(IN THE PHOTO: Ricardo Kakà’s joy)MILAN – Please see the latest statements from Ricardo Kakà from yesterday’s press conference after Milan-Atalanta, the match in which Kakà scored twice to reach the milestone of 101 goals with the Milan jersey:“I don’t really know how to explain my feelings having reached 101 goals now with the Milan jersey. If I think hard about it, 101 is a lot in 7 seasons with Milan. I’m happy to be a part of this club’s history and to be in the list amongst such famous names as Gianni Rivera, who is one of the most important players of this club’s history, it’s amazing, so I’m really happy to be a part of Milan history. Every goal means something and has its own value, I was waiting for this goal for a few matches now, and it has come in this year’s first match. It’s just a crazy sensation.Every time I hear the fans chant my name, it’s such a great feeling because I know it comes from the heart. To hear them on those two occasions was the best way to start the year. I was nervous about this goal, I was waiting a while for it. I’m happy with how the year has begun, and we’ll see if I go to the World Cup or not. I never thought I was finished as a player, in Madrid I underperformed, but I always worked hard to get back to my normal level. Even at Real Madrid I can assure you I was always a top professional, and I was confident of returning to these high standards. As for the next step, I’m thinking already about 200 goals, but it’s best to think first of all about 110, 120. I never thought I would have this impact on the history of the club, I want to be an example for all the players that come to the club. I prepared the shirt especially for the 100th goal, it’s been waiting for me for a few games now, it was on the bench.”After speaking at length about the joy of reaching 101 goals with the Milan jersey, the midfielder turned his attention to an analysis of the match reserving special praise for Cristante as well as speaking about new arrival Keisuke Honda: "It’s never easy to make your debut at the San Siro, but Cristante was great and it’s fantastic to see good players coming from Milan’s youth sector. If I hadn’t left Milan, I don’t know how things would have turned out, but on a personal level the experience in Madrid was brilliant. My part in Milan’s history has turned out like this. I went away but came back and I’m happy that I can still play my part. History will be the judge of my time with the club, and of course I will always try to be an example to the players. For my son I also want to be a role model, but more as a good man than a footballer. I’ve seen how happy Honda is to be here, I’m sure he will help us in the second half of the season. He is a very technical player, who can play his part in the side. The coach will decide his role, I see him as an attacking midfielder, but it’s up to the coach to decide his position on the pitch, he will find a way of slotting him into the side quickly. We’re happy about his arrival.”