“Morata called me and asked me if he could take my number”

Kaka, former Real Madrid and Milan player, who will face each other on Tuesday in the Champions League, revealed that Alvaro Morata called him to play with the No 22 in the 'Rossoneri' team, although he finally chose to wear the No 7. The Champions League will once again pit the two most successful teams in the competition against each other 14 years later, in an official match at the Santiago Bernabeu. Kaka experienced the duel from both sides. He shone at Milan for 6 seasons (2003-2009) before signing with the Spanish team for 4 years (2009-2013). He then returned to play a year as a 'Rossonero' in the 2013-14 campaign.

The iconic player explained, in an interview with Milan's official media, what it meant to him to play this kind of matches. “Playing in the Champions League is something special. Playing against great teams is always something unique. Playing a Milan-Real Madrid match is something very nice. Wearing a Milan shirt is already a great motivation, but, against Real Madrid, it's something different,” he said.

World Cup winner in 2002 with Brazil; of the 'Scudetto' and Italian Super Cup in 2004 with Milan; and of the Copa del Rey (2011), La Liga and Spanish Super Cup (2012) with Real Madrid, he also spoke about Ancelotti and Morata, who has also been at Real Madrid and Milan. “Carlo, with all the history he has with Milan as a player and coach, is reunited with his team. It will be a match with a lot of emotions...,” he noted.

“I am very happy that Morata has come to Milan, the captain of the EURO winners Spain can give so much to the team.... He called me because he wanted the No 22. 'The shirt is not mine,' I told him, 'it belongs to everyone.' In the end, he took another number, but it was a very nice gesture, of respect, to call me for it. I wish him and Milan all the best,” he said.

The last official meeting between the two teams, on November 3rd, 2010, in the Champions League group stage, ended in a two-goal draw at the San Siro, with Filippo Inzaghi scoring twice for the Italian side and goals from Argentine Gonzalo Higuain and Pedro Leon for the Spaniards.

 

November 3, 2024