Kaka slams door on Madrid

Real have been huffing and puffing all summer in their pursuit of the Brazil playmaker and World Player of the Year elect, claiming that the player was desperate to leave the Rossoneri while pro-Madrid newspapers Marca and AS continually published rumours and photos linking him with a summer transfer.

But Kaka denied the reports, claiming he is proud to be an icon for the Champions League winners.

"I have never demanded anything at Milan," Kaka said after returning to Milan from Brazil, where he has been on holiday since the season finished. "I have never asked to renew my contract, to leave or to have a clause to rescind it like many have said. There was a meeting [between his father and] Real Madrid and Milan were the first to know about it.

"The fans can stay calm, what president [Silvio] Berlusconi said yesterday is certain. I have a contract with Milan until 2011, the door for Real Madrid is closed and only Milan can reopen it if they decide to sell me.

"I see myself as a symbol of Milan."

Real have so far failed in their attempts to unsettle Roma defender Cristian Chivu, Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas this summer and have signed Pepe, Christoph Metzelder, Jerzy Dudek and Javier Saviola.