Conversation with Kaka

This pice is for an audience of all ages. Its purpose is to show describe a conversation between two people.

E: You've had a brilliant year, even by your own recent standards, and you've just won the Golden Ball. Has it surprised you how well things have gone?

K: It's been a wonderful year, and the Golden Ball was one of many successes. What's the highlight been? Definitely winning the Champions League. As a result of that triumph, all of these individual accolades have followed.

E: You probably already know but they have also named you our footballer of the year. Does it still feel special when people praise you, or are you used to it now?

K: It always feels really good to receive praise, but the best moment is always achieving something on the football pitch. In any case, I'm very happy to have been [praised]

E: Have we seen the best of Kaka?

K: No, no, I still think I have a lot of things to improve on and plenty to learn - tactically, physically and technically.

E: Your closest rival for the Golden Ball was Cristiano Ronaldo. What do you make of him?

K: He's a great player - very talented and still very young. There is no doubt that he has been central
to Manchester [United]'s success.

E: In two days, you'll be in Japan for the Club World Cup, probably up against Boca Juniors in the final. How important is that to you and to Milan? Is it more than just a showpiece friendly?

K: In Brazil and across the whole of South America, this tournament is considered the most important in the world - even if in Europe it's the Champions League. So for me, as a Brazilian, this would be a really great way to finish the year.

E: There are now no less than eight Brazilians at Milan, including your own younger brother, Digao. How is he getting on, and is he as blessed as you?

K: He's training very hard at Milan, and he has a chance here. He does have a different style to me - and a different position, as he's a defender - but he is showing that he is a good player and I believe he will have a very successful career. Who knows? One day we might even get to play together for the Seleção.

E: Another new teammate is 18-year-old Alexandre Pato, the latest teen sensation to come out of Brazilian football. Carlo Ancelotti recently claimed he's better than Ronaldinho - from what you've seen, just how good can he be?

K: Pato is a highly talented youngster. We have to be patient with him because his adaptation period will be very important, but I'm already certain that he will soon be one of the great players in world football. He has a good head on his shoulders, and he'll be able to handle the pressure involved with representing one of the world's biggest clubs.

E: Okay. Well, finally, what are your own ambitions for 2008 - is there any more can you achieve in the game?

K: A desire to succeed has always been my greatest motivation, and because of this I want to continue achieving, and winning trophies. Fortunately, Milan and Brazil are teams who always play to win, so there is always a lot to play for.