Real Madrid's world record signing Kaka insists he never wanted to leave AC Milan. As his bank-busting move was confirmed yesterday, Kaka told local Brazilian reporters: "I wanted to stay on at Milan, but the global economic crisis has affected many clubs, especially those like Milan that run as a business.

"I spoke with the directors and we agreed that the transfer would be in everybody's interests at this moment in time."

Real Madrid want Kaka to inherit Zinedine Zidane's old No5 shirt, but the midfielder says: "That would be a big responsibility. Zidane was an excellent player, both for Real Madrid and France, so I would not like to wear his same number. We should wait a little longer before picking a number."