Kaka claims 'no rivalry' with Ronaldo

MANCHESTER: Kaka was speaking at his official presentation at the Bernabeu tonight, where he was unveiled as the first new arrival since Florentino Perez returned to the Madrid presidency earlier this month.

The Brazil international, who has penned a six-year contract and has cost Madrid a reported £56million, will be joined next week by Ronaldo, with the Portugal international being presented on July 6 after completing his world-record £80million switch from Manchester United.

The capture of the last two winners of the FIFA World Player of the Year awards marks the return of the 'galacticos' era to Madrid, with Perez also splashing out huge fees on big-name signings such as Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham during his previous tenure in charge from 2000-06.

That policy reaped indifferent rewards, though, with Madrid claiming seven trophies under Perez in total but none in his final three years.

Questions have been raised about whether Madrid might fall into the same trap this time around and bring in a host of superstar players at the expense of a working team.

Kaka insists he will have no problem playing alongside Ronaldo, though, saying: "There will be no rivalry with Cristiano. We are compatible and there will no problem between us either on or off the pitch.

"It's a great privilege to be able to play with great players, not only with Cristiano Ronaldo, but also with Raul, (Iker) Casillas and Guti."

The former AC Milan midfielder did concede, though, that having big-name players in the team does not automatically guarantee trophies, adding: "Having talented players is positive, but they must work hard and make sacrifices to win titles."

Kaka, who passed his medical earlier in the day having landed in the Spanish capital this morning after helping Brazil win the Confederations Cup, was presented in front of tens of thousands of fans and a huge media contingent at the club's Bernabeu stadium.

A crowd more than double the estimated total of 20,000 turned up to watch the ceremony as Kaka was unveiled as Madrid's latest addition by club president Perez and honorary president Alfredo di Stefano.

"It reminded me of Ronaldinho's presentation at Milan. It's been an unforgettable day," said Kaka.

"Today is a very happy day for me. I'm very happy because this new stage of my career will be at Real Madrid.

"It make you proud to be here. And this motivates you to obtain titles and wins.

"I'm hoping to big things and score many goals," added the playmaker, who admits Madrid were top of his wish list if he were to leave Milan.

The 27-year-old had been linked to other clubs during the last six months, including Chelsea and Manchester City, but he was adamant Madrid was his first-choice destination.

"In January Milan opened the doors to negotiations for the first time. I thought that it was not the time to leave," he said.

"Then at the end of the Italian season, they called me and said there were offers for me.

"I always said that if one day I left Milan I would like to play at Madrid, because everyone who has played here has told me great things about the club."

When asked about former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti's hopes of taking him to Chelsea, Kaka added: "I was honest with him, thanked him for everything, but I gave him the same reasons as I've told you now to explain why I preferred Madrid."

Kaka will wear the number eight shirt at Madrid next season.

There had been speculation he would be handed the number five shirt that Zinedine Zidane had once worn for Madrid, or the number nine left vacant by Javier Saviola's departure, but the new arrival will instead take up the number eight shirt formerly worn by Fernando Gago.

Gago will now wear the five shirt that Fabio Cannavaro sported before returning to Juventus this summer.