Rome - Recently retired AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini didn't hide his pessimism about the club's future after the sale of Brazil star forward Kaka to Real Madrid. "For Milan it's a crucial change," Italian media on Wednesday quoted the former defender as saying. "Thinking to win the Champions League without Kaka can be illusory.
"Kaka is one of the best five players in the world. He is the first of this level to be sold, and the other four are not moving."
Maldini added that he believes that in the long run the Devils should be able to recover from the loss.
"When (defender) Franco Baresi retired (in 1997) I felt lost. I only saw the black side," Maldini said.
"Then, however, Milan managed to start over. This club always kept going with a vengeance. I understand the bad (financial) moment, but if it will be handled as it has always been, the history will continue."
Three new players could have been enough to strengthen Milan, Maldini said, but without Kaka it will take much more.
"We'll have to wait and see," he said. "For (new coach) Leonardo it's a new experience as well and he will have to prove himself. It's a gamble, even though Milan showed how to win (other gambles) in the past."
Maldini retired on May 31, closing a 25-year career spent entirely at Milan. He played 902 games and won seven Serie A titles, five European trophies, two Intercontinental Cups and one Club World Cup.
