Paolo Maldini

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INFINITE PRIDE

Inzaghi was so emotional he was 'without words. I thought 2007 had already given me a lot and instead...'. Kaká calls the victory 'special'. The group enjoys the trophy. - THE WORDS OF THE ROSSONERI -

YOKOHAMA - Here are the declarations made by the rossoneri following the Club World Cup final, Boca Juniors-Milan (2-4), which gave Milan the title of World Champions:

RICKY KAKA'

"It was a match and a championship I cared about a lot, as a Brazilian and a Milan player. Participating in this competition and this victory is something special. There have been many great moments for me this year. I was top scorer in the Champions League and I will never forget that title, as well as some of the games I played. Particularly the two goals I scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford, but especially the return game against the English at San Siro, my first goal, the rain, the victory. It was a perfect evening. Then Paris, everything that happened on 2 December, from the moment I woke up until the end, to the meeting with the fans at the Piazza Duomo. It was an unforgettable day.

Not to mention this day... I won the award for the best player of the match. But I won this prize thanks to the whole squad, the group. And so I, like the group, have decided to give my part to Fondazione Milan. I was a bit worried about my nail, I had pain in a very painful spot. Before the match I felt some pain, but once I was on the pitch it all went away. I just wanted to win."

FILIPPO INZAGHI

"It's a great joy, it was a truly extraordinary 2007. I thought this year had already given me a lot, instead it gave me this great emotion too. I'm speechless, there are no more words to describe what I feel."

PAOLO MALDINI

"This is great, it's hard to keep playing until 39 years of age with a great team like Milan, a club that has always given me the possibility to play for something important. Today I feel truly satisfied about what I've done."

RONALDO

"I'm happy about this important victory for the whole club. Too bad my injury prevented me from playing this match. I couldn't make it, but my team mates did well, and managed to win this Cup. I hope to get back on the pitch soon to give my contribution again, I have to get better as soon as possible. There were a few Brazilian flags, that was nice to see. Also tonight Kaká showed he is a lad who never ceases to surprise people and it's only right he gets all these individual awards now."

EMERSON

"I was waiting for this moment because I was forced to stay out for a month due to physical problems, now I'm doing well and for that I must thank the whole club, the team, the Coach because mine was not an easy physical problem to solve, but fortunately now I feel better.

After a month without action the training sessions I had here in Yokohama were very useful for me, these days in football you can't play if your condition isn't the best. I really thank the whole medical staff which has been really good for me and all the team mates who were close to me. This month hasn't been easy at all for me, especially seeing my team mates go out on the pitch and being unable to help them. But I was thrilled to go out and give my contribution in such an important match. I saw a very young Boca team, compared to other times I've seen them play, I think they lacked a bit of experience, other times they played better. This evening they did not close down well and gave our players the chance to our players to play their football. Now as soon as we are back in Italy we'll think first about the Coppa Italia and then the derby."

MARCOS CAFU

"It seems incredible that after 2002 I've come back here to win another Cup. Also this final was a great emotion, especially because it came on Milan's birthday. Tonight I came in to help, to contribute, to give a hand and of course I wouldn't have minded if I scored. I told the Coach we would have to fight until the end. When the Coach calls me to give my part I am always ready.

Personally I feel good physically, I'm mentally calm after a difficult period I went through two years ago, I think that if I keep on doing like this I will continue playing after June. With this trophy I'm a part of history because I won it both with a South American team and an Italian team, and certainly it's something that gives me satisfaction because it comes after years of hard work."

CLARENCE SEEDORF

"I received the prize for the second best player of this tournament, I'm very happy and proud because this team showed it was ready at the right time. These individual prizes are nice, but they come after the group. I'm also happy for Kaká, for his first place and I'm happy that two Milan players have brought home these prizes. This is a team that after the last five-six years still has motivations, humility, and willingness to sacrifice themselves, then of course success comes to those who deserve it."

RINO GATTUSO

"The secret of these victories is the group. After many years we are still all together here winning. You could see the motivation by how we prepared this tournament in these twelve days, because we all wanted this Cup. We came here to play for the victory and bring home this trophy."

Maldini: Time to call it a day

Paolo Maldini has lifted his third Club World Cup at the age of 39 and announced his retirement.

“I think it is tough for someone to reach 39 and still play for the top trophies,” said the Milan captain after he starred in the 4-2 win over Boca Juniors.

“I am satisfied with what I have achieved today and throughout my career.”

There were reports Maldini would hang up his boots straight after this Final in Yokohama, but he sets a firm date for his retirement.

“In June I will retire and certainly have no regrets. It is a struggle now and I have niggling pains, but I still have so much fun on the pitch.”

He has played for the club since 1984, winning seven Scudetti, five Champions League trophies, three Intercontinental Cups, four European Super Cups, the Coppa Italia and five Italian Super Cups.

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