Serie A - Maldini slams Milan over Kaka sale

Eurosport - Wed, 10 Jun 15:25:00 2009

Winning the Champions League without Kaka is a Utopian dream for Milan, former captain Paolo Maldini said.

FOOTBALL 2008/09 Serie A Milan Maldini - 0

Financial worries prompted the Serie A side to sell the Brazilian to Real Madrid but Maldini, who retired at the end of the season after 24 years with the Rossoneri, said he understood why fans and team mates had reacted angrily.

"Kaka is the first player of this level to be sold (by Milan). In the past an idea like that would never have been considered," the 40-year-old said.

"Looking at the accounts is logical but it is also logical to set obtainable targets - thinking of winning the Champions League without Kaka is a Utopian dream."

Milan, who want Vfl Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, have said no other high profile names will leave despite Brazil forward Alexandre Pato and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo questioning their futures.

"Before leaving Milan, Pirlo would think about it not 10 but at least 100 times," Maldini said. "I don't believe there will be another soap opera like Kaka with Pato. He must stay here."

Maldini, yet to decide on his future off the pitch, was upset with Milan's hierarchy for not outwardly condemning supporter banners criticising the captain during his final San Siro appearance last month.

But he made it clear he did not want a simmering feud and backed owner Silvio Berlusconi's decision to appoint rookie Leonardo to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who left for Chelsea.

"Leonardo is a gamble but in general the president has won these types of bets. Bringing in innovation and youth is not a bad thing, it is a courageous choice," he said.

Reuters

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  1. they basically have to tear the whole team apart, it is­ full of old men who are well past their sell by date,­ but then again, the italian league is very low end of­ the scale, hence once great players like chiesa,­ maldini etc can continue to still play on. why did they­ sell gourcuff?

    From John, on Sun 14 Jun 5:48PM

  2. milan are finished...they haven't been in­ contention for the last couple of years already...kaka­ made the right move by leaving for the biggest club in­ the world!

    From milton, on Fri 12 Jun 8:02PM

  3. a c milan have ni risspotto for fans . ciao kaka &­ madrid have ronaldo = disaster.

    From antoni50, on Fri 12 Jun 2:43PM

  4. i think that selling kaka was one of the worse­ mistakes, and they should keep pato and pirlo and other­ young players, but selling seedorf, sheva and dida is­ free!

    From hamidreza, on Thu 11 Jun 8:24PM

  5. i agree..they should sell pirlo n seedorf instead of­ kaka..BRING BACK GOURCUFF!! YOU B R A T BERLUSCONI!! u­ want to fix ur financial woes..y dont u sell seedorf n­ pirlo..but dont sell kaka!! i still cant believe­ this..my milan..T-T

    From Fazreen A, on Thu 11 Jun 6:54AM

  6. Personally, I think that they have to sell their older­ players, and even though I love Pirlo, I think that we­ should have sold him over Kaka any day. That reported­ 30million pounds for Pirlo would have been good enough­ to equalise Milan's back account. Which I might add­ is a horrible excuse to sell a calibre of Kaka's.­ Most of these elder players are the ones that should­ go, not our 'younger' players. Gourcuff should­ have stayed as well. We really need to revolutionize­ this club and it's inner workings because this­ Burlesconi/Galliani formula is growing increasingly old­ in the modern game.

    From disaster_button, on Thu 11 Jun 2:36AM

  7. if milan sell kaka and ronladihno they done for..

    From Josh, on Wed 10 Jun 11:42PM
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