Real Madrid devastated AC Milan and delighted a sellout Yankee Stadium crowd. And it was former World Players of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka – the latter all but signed, sealed and delivered back to Milan, the Post has learned – that led the way in a 5-1 emasculation.
Ronaldo broke a 1-1 halftime tie with a second-half brace, and broke AC Milan’s collective backs. And Kaka – who remains a long-term target of the Red Bulls, but who an AC Milan source confirmed is expected to move to back to his former club by the end of the month – came on as a sub and still dished out three assists.
“I personally would like for Kaka to remain with the team. He’s one of the top players in the world, and the top players need to be in Madrid. Butthat is Kaka’s decision, and we have to respect whether he chooses to stay or to go…but I believe he will stay,” Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, said of the teammate who preceded him as the award winner.
Ronaldo’s every move drew cheers from the 49,474, further proof of the drawing power he could provide for MLS, a league he said he’s like to join someday.
Nine-time European champ Real Madrid – who finally unseated Barcelona to win la Liga last season – held 64.1 percent possession, outshot Milan 27-8 and put a beating on their Serie A foes – with the biggest blows struck by Ronaldo and Kaka.
The former scored in the 49th and 66th minutes. And the latter – whom the Red Bulls bid on, and would love to add in the future – came on in the 62nd minute and opened up the game, setting up the final three goals.
“Today he showed me that he’s a very good player, a player that can play at the highest level,’’ said Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. “So if he stays, perfect. But if he decides that the best thing for him is to go, Real will try to help.’’
Milan CEO Adriano Galliani met with Madrid president Florentino Perez during the day regarding Kaka, and hugged him on the field before warmups. And while a Milan source said they “met over coffee” and the meeting was “friendly,” with no official transfer completed, the move is a fait accompli by the end of the month.
It’s unclear whether that will be on an outright transfer – which Real Madrid would prefer – or a one-year loan, with the la Liga champs picking up part of his huge salary. But either way, Kaka is headed back to the team he led to a Champions League title and fetched a world-record transfer fee for in 2009.
Marca reported that the scrapping of the so-called “Beckham law” in Spain – a 2005 decree that aided rich foreigners by saying they liable only for Spanish taxes on their Spanish source income and assets – would result in Real paying out €70 million for Kaka to see out his six-year deal if he isn’t moved on this summer.
“In football there is (rule) that the player plays where he wants to play,’’ said Mourinho. “When he doesn’t want to play on one club, sooner or later he’ll find way to go. My hands are open if he wants to stay to the 31st of August.’’
*** Injured Yankee closer Mariano Rivera conducted the pregame coin flip, with the PA system blasting his usual “Enter Sandman.” Rivera said “It was a good game. I had a good time. It was a special experience in that we were able enjoy some time with the family. … I feel good.’’