UEFA.com: You came through São Paulo's famous youth academy. How would you compare player development at home to here in Europe?
Kaká : This is an issue that is tackled very differently in Brazil compared to Europe. Brazilian clubs have much better youth development systems in many ways, and the teams tend to rely a lot on home-grown talent. I don't see that happening very much in Europe. I can't say a lot about particular countries, but in Italy the policy is clear, instead of developing them, they buy them. To me, Italian clubs don't have the patience to nurture a player. It's very common to see young talents off-loaded to lower division sides as a matter of course.
UEFA.com: Do you think that will have a long-term effect?
Kaká : Yes, the lack of attention on youth could end up hurting national teams. For example, young players in Italy do not have the same pressure we Brazilians face at a similar age, and this cannot be good. We are tested all the time in Brazil, but with the intention of making players ready for professional action. I used to love it when the junior team faced the professionals at São Paulo. Perhaps some regulations forcing clubs to have a minimum number of home-grown players in their squads, something that has been discussed before, could help.
UEFA.com: Do players have too much power?
Kaká : I don't agree when people say players have too much power in the game. Changes like the Bosman ruling have altered the balance over the last few years, but clubs can still have their way. If you refuse to sign a contract in order to move to another team, or demand better conditions, they can still put you on the bench. There are no heroes or villains in these situations.
UEFA.com: Are player salaries too high or are they justified?
Kaká : Fair is how I would call it, given the importance of the players to the game. No fan goes to a game to cheer for a chairman or the board. They are there to see the star of the show. I don't want to sound arrogant, but just take a look at American sports such as NBA basketball, where some guys can make $100m in a flash. Football generates lots of income and I don't think too much money is spent on players' wages.
UEFA.com: What do you think about the role of agents in football?
Kaká : All agents have been vilified because of some bad professionals but bad people are everywhere in our lives and there are a lot of good agents who I think are often very helpful for players. It would be hard for a player to concentrate on his career on the pitch if things weren't being handled properly off it.
UEFA.com: What do you think is the best strategy to deal with the media?
Kaká : Talk. I don't mind having conversations with journalists and even treating them like colleagues in this football world . That's not to say that I am always giving interviews, but the media is important for the game. Having said that, intrusions really annoy me. Paparazzi can be really irritating, but even then I try to pose for at least one shot. (HAH, THAT'S THE WAY!)
UEFA.com: Are players playing too many games?
Kaká : The answer is simple, why would players complain if it wasn't so? After all, a professional footballer is, by definition, somebody who likes to play football. However, if you have to play it so often, you lose that sense of excitement for the matches which are not derbies. It tires you. But it seems difficult to me to find a solution. It's up to the game's governing bodies to find a way.
UEFA.com: Is doping in football a big problem and what should be done?
Kaká : It's not something that's out of control, but doping and drugs in sport are problems which need constant monitoring. It's not fair when a player tries to further his own physical limitations. And neither is getting involved with recreational drugs. Players are an example for a lot of people and should be really aware of this influence. For me, an addiction to recreational drugs is just as bad as illegal doping.
Source : UEFA.com
Kaká : This is an issue that is tackled very differently in Brazil compared to Europe. Brazilian clubs have much better youth development systems in many ways, and the teams tend to rely a lot on home-grown talent. I don't see that happening very much in Europe. I can't say a lot about particular countries, but in Italy the policy is clear, instead of developing them, they buy them. To me, Italian clubs don't have the patience to nurture a player. It's very common to see young talents off-loaded to lower division sides as a matter of course.
UEFA.com: Do you think that will have a long-term effect?
Kaká : Yes, the lack of attention on youth could end up hurting national teams. For example, young players in Italy do not have the same pressure we Brazilians face at a similar age, and this cannot be good. We are tested all the time in Brazil, but with the intention of making players ready for professional action. I used to love it when the junior team faced the professionals at São Paulo. Perhaps some regulations forcing clubs to have a minimum number of home-grown players in their squads, something that has been discussed before, could help.
UEFA.com: Do players have too much power?
Kaká : I don't agree when people say players have too much power in the game. Changes like the Bosman ruling have altered the balance over the last few years, but clubs can still have their way. If you refuse to sign a contract in order to move to another team, or demand better conditions, they can still put you on the bench. There are no heroes or villains in these situations.
UEFA.com: Are player salaries too high or are they justified?
Kaká : Fair is how I would call it, given the importance of the players to the game. No fan goes to a game to cheer for a chairman or the board. They are there to see the star of the show. I don't want to sound arrogant, but just take a look at American sports such as NBA basketball, where some guys can make $100m in a flash. Football generates lots of income and I don't think too much money is spent on players' wages.
UEFA.com: What do you think about the role of agents in football?
Kaká : All agents have been vilified because of some bad professionals but bad people are everywhere in our lives and there are a lot of good agents who I think are often very helpful for players. It would be hard for a player to concentrate on his career on the pitch if things weren't being handled properly off it.
UEFA.com: What do you think is the best strategy to deal with the media?
Kaká : Talk. I don't mind having conversations with journalists and even treating them like colleagues in this football world . That's not to say that I am always giving interviews, but the media is important for the game. Having said that, intrusions really annoy me. Paparazzi can be really irritating, but even then I try to pose for at least one shot. (HAH, THAT'S THE WAY!)
UEFA.com: Are players playing too many games?
Kaká : The answer is simple, why would players complain if it wasn't so? After all, a professional footballer is, by definition, somebody who likes to play football. However, if you have to play it so often, you lose that sense of excitement for the matches which are not derbies. It tires you. But it seems difficult to me to find a solution. It's up to the game's governing bodies to find a way.
UEFA.com: Is doping in football a big problem and what should be done?
Kaká : It's not something that's out of control, but doping and drugs in sport are problems which need constant monitoring. It's not fair when a player tries to further his own physical limitations. And neither is getting involved with recreational drugs. Players are an example for a lot of people and should be really aware of this influence. For me, an addiction to recreational drugs is just as bad as illegal doping.
Source : UEFA.com
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