Kaká has been given the No 8 jersey by Real Madrid, taking away Fernando Gago's number from the past two seasons.
Kaká, who wore No 22 for six seasons at AC Milan, was unveiled to at least 50,000 adoring fans at the Bernabéu on Tuesday wearing the No 8 shirt.
"I want to clear up the reason why he has been given the number 8 jersey," Valdano said. "As you know, numbers 5, 18 and 9 were not assigned.
"We knew that Fernando Gago wanted to wear wear No. 5 because as we Argentines know, it is the number that best identifies the holding midfield position.
"So we gave Kaká the number 8, which he was very happy to have.
"It was the first time for a long time at Real Madrid that an agreement was reached that made everyone happy."
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Kaká, who wore No 22 for six seasons at AC Milan, was unveiled to at least 50,000 adoring fans at the Bernabéu on Tuesday wearing the No 8 shirt.
 Kaka shows off his No 8 jersey Photo: AFP/Getty Images |
But Real sporting director Jorge Valdano explained that the decision does not mean Gago is leaving, just he is changing number too.
"I want to clear up the reason why he has been given the number 8 jersey," Valdano said. "As you know, numbers 5, 18 and 9 were not assigned.
"We knew that Fernando Gago wanted to wear wear No. 5 because as we Argentines know, it is the number that best identifies the holding midfield position.
"So we gave Kaká the number 8, which he was very happy to have.
"It was the first time for a long time at Real Madrid that an agreement was reached that made everyone happy."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
- 50,000 Real Madrid fans welcome Kaká
- Kaká: Why I snubbed Manchester City
- Messi will win this year's Ballon d'Or and FIFA Player of the Year - Kaká
- Kaká surprised by the speed of Ronaldo’s transfer
- Kaká worth £62m a year to Real Madrid
- Kaká hesitant to take Zinedine Zidane's No 5 shirt
- Beckham convinced Kaká to sign for Real Madrid
- Kaká is now officially a Galáctico
- Berlusconi: I'm not forcing Kaká out
