Ricardo Kakà, former AC Milan captain and winner of the Ballon d'Or, spoke in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport about two former Rossoneri teammates: Gennaro Gattuso and PaoloMaldini. In his speech, the former midfielder expressed admiration for Gattuso's competitive mentality and commented on Maldini's recent resignation from the Italian national team.
In the story, Kakà underlined that the job of a coach is extremely demanding and praised the figure of Rino Gattuso, current coach of Lazio, stating that "he has a very special character, he is someone who always wants to win and I am pleased that he is able to express himself at his best". The player also said he was always a "great friend" and cheered for his colleagues. The former champion then highlighted how Gattuso's leadership is a positive example for the team and for Italian football in general.
As for PaoloMaldini, Kakà expressed surprise at the resignation of the veteran, who left the national team after a few weeks. The former defender said he was "astonished" by the brevity of his stay and reiterated that, although it is difficult to judge from afar, it would be beneficial for Italy to have such competent people at the helm. Kakà also expressed hope that the national team will soon regain its prominent position, underlining the importance of managing the structures and nurseries well for the future of Italian football.
The interview is part of a broader context of reflection on the future of Italian football, where the figure of former players such as Kakà, Gattuso and Maldini continues to influence discussions on the role of coaches and managers. With the national team in a transition phase, Kakà's words highlight the need for strong leadership and a clear vision to bring Italy back to international success. The next step will be to observe how Lazio, under the leadership of Gattuso, and the national team, with its new structure, will evolve in the coming months and in European competitions.