AC Milan and Ronaldinho have both seen their stock lower in recent seasons...

Kaka believes that Real Madrid are a bigger club than AC Milan and has admitted he is mystified by Ronaldinho's drop in form in recent seasons.

Los Merengues' Brazilian star is preparing to face his former club only four months after his Milanello departure and while he is looking forward to seeing old friends, he has also stoked things up.

Madrid and Milan both struggled last term wuthout winning silverware, but the Spanish behemoths spent €250 million in the summer and Kaka thinks that they have more global appeal.

"I think Real Madrid are slightly bigger throughout the world because people follow them everywhere. That's the greatest difference between both teams," he told a press conference on Tuesday.

"Milan have always been a strong team in Italy and in Europe. That has changed in the last two years.

"They haven’t been able to beat big teams and perhaps their signing policy has changed. What I gathered during my time there was that it was a good mix of youth and experienced players.

"It will be the first time I play against a former team of mine.  It will be a new experience, but I am a professional and I now play for Real Madrid. Let’s see what happens tomorrow. I will do my very best.

I feel very Madridista. I do my best to win every game with this team because I feel well here. I am grateful to the club for everything they've done for me, both in the past and in the present."

Ronaldinho is being touted as Milan's player to watch in the game against Madrid, but Kaka does not understand why his form dipped so suddenly in recent years.

"Ronaldinho is a different player with the ball at his feet because he can place it wherever he wants.  I would love to have that ability," he continued.

"I don't know what's happened to him or why he's dropped his performance level so much. He hasn't been able to make a difference on the team as he used to do at Barça or with Brazil.

"I think he needs to find motivation in order to be one of the best players in the world."

The Rossoneri will face Real Madrid in tonight’s big Champions League clash between two of the biggest European sides in history.

Milan defender Alessandro Nesta is looking forward to the clash against Real Madrid tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium for the third matchday of the Champions League group stage.

The Rossoneri will have a difficult time against the high-scoring Merengues, but Nesta does not want to bet on how many goals his team will concede.

“I never bet, not even on the defence and I don’t do them today on the goals that Real could score against Milan,” declared the former Lazio player to Milan Channel.

Nesta then commented Kaka’s declarations about Milan during the press conference.

“Kaka knows us, he fears us, because he knows that in the Champions League we have always done well,” he explained.

“It will be a pleasure to play against him. We will be looking forward to see him. We know that Ricky is quick, it’s true we know that, but those like him are unpredictable players.”

Losing could spell trouble for Milan considering Zurich and Marseille face each other in the other group game of the night.

Ahead of Wednesday’s monster Champions League clash, Carlo Garganese light-heartedly looks at 10 things to expect before, during and after Real Madrid vs Milan…

10) Even though Ronaldo will be in the stands, and not on the pitch, he'll get more camera time than Rino 'scares the kids' Gattuso.

9) Leonardo to spend 89 minutes of the game on the touchline with his hand on his mouth.



8) If Milan win, Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani to declare that Milan are the best team in the world. If Milan lose, Berlusconi and Galliani to remind everyone that Milan are the most successful team in history.



7) Xabi Alonso to play a 40 yard defence-splitting pass for Kaka to score. Kaka to thank God instead of Xabi.


6) Jerzy Dudek to receive some column inches for the first time in his Madrid career by talking about his role in the 2005 final. Still, no one cares to read his interview.



5) SKY Sports England to bill CSKA Moscow v Manchester United as the game of the night. Ronaldo v Milan to be handed just 30 seconds of highlights at the end of the show before Phil Thompson and Jamie Redknapp begin their 'expert' analysis of this weekend's big Hull v Portsmouth match.



4) Florentino Perez to take out a €400 million bank loan at half time, and offer it to Kakha Kaladze to score two own goals.



3) Pippo Inzaghi to be flagged offside 18 times, 17 of which were incorrect calls. Some annoying unoriginal commentator to repeat the Sir Alex Ferguson ‘born in the offside position’ line – just shut up!



2) Klaas Jan Huntelaar to touch the ball just twice during the game - once in the warm-up and once to scratch himself.



1) Berlusconi to host a political orgy after the game, and invite Spain president Jose Luis Zapatero. “Unlike Ronaldinho, I never miss sitters on Zapatero’s bed,” boasts Silvio.


"It's ok Ron. Dida can't use gloves - me neither."

Milan are back on the hunt for Real Madrid stopper Sergio Ramos, according to Radio Marca...

The Spanish international is on the Rossoneri's Christmas wish list and he may arrive sooner rather than later according to the very latest reports coming from Iberia.

There has been plenty of hype surrounding Ramos' future at Los Merengues under Bernd Schuster and, although the press in Spain have been speaking of peace between coach and player, Radio Marca has other ideas.

Marca claim Ramos' brother and agent is meeting with Real Madrid officials to talk about a possible move to the club most interested in the defender, in this case it's Milan.

The Spanish stopper is looking for a new deal at the Bernabeu but it doesn't seem coming as the club are not willing to give the player what he wants in terms of a better wage package.

Reports suggest Ramos is becoming fed up of chasing the club over his future and, with Milan lying in wait, he may decide to pack his bags and move to San Siro.

Ramos would be an ideal transfer for Milan as he is only 22 and the Rossoneri will have no problem in accomodating his salary expectations. He would also be a replacement for the injury prone Alessandro Nesta as he can play in any position at the back.

Il Diavolo have always shown an interest and they are expected to pounce as early as the January transfer window.

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has confirmed that LA Galaxy and England star David Beckham will join the club in January on loan until the end of the season. In a quite sensational announcement, Galliani has also hinted that the deal could then become permanent.

Milan is making the world's oldest team... 

After Gattuso stop, there is another problem for Milan midfield: Andrea Pirlo, during the training session of this morning, has injured. The extent of the player’s injury is not yet known but the club have released a statement confirming he will under go further examinations on Friday morning. In the place of Pirlo there will be or Emerson or the uruguayan Cardacio.