Report: Kaka met with Sao Paulo chief

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka reportedly met with Sao Paulo executive Marco Aurelio Cunha last week to discuss a potential return to Brazil.

The 30-year-old Brazilian has been beset by injury problems ever since he joined Real from AC Milan in 2009 and, despite an upturn in his form this season, he is expected to leave the Spanish capital this off-season, with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain said to be leading the chase for his signature.

However, Sao Paulo have now apparently entered the fray, with AS revealing that Kaka dined with Cunha in the Brazilian city last Thursday.

The paper claims that the Campeonato Brasiliero club are confident of being able to meet the attacking midfielder’s wage demands with the support of some high-profile sponsors.

The major stumbling block would likely be the transfer fee, with Sao Paulo not in a position to match the 25 million euros PSG are reportedly willing to offer Madrid for the former Ballon d’Or winner.

Kaka has repeatedly stated he wants to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu and prove his worth to the club, but it is believed that he would consider returning home in order to boost his hopes of being included in Brazil’s 2014 World Cup squad.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/report-kaka-met-with-sao-paulo-chief/95537/

Bento: Portugal must not rely on Ronaldo

Portugal coach Paulo Bento has warned his side that they cannot afford to rely solely on Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2012.

Striker Ronaldo scored 60 goals for Real Madrid last season but Bento is aware that the 27-year-old will not be able to drag Portugal into the quarter-finals all on his own.

Portugal have been drawn in Euro 2012′s most difficult group with Germany, Netherlands and Denmark.

“Cristiano has always played at a high level for us,” Bento said.

“In the qualifying round he helped us a lot but we still think the same.

“We will not rely on any player to resolve all problems.”

Bento argued that his side’s best chance of success will be if they work together.

“We try to do things as a team and there will be some players who will help us solve certain problems, as in the case of Cristiano thanks to his talent and dynamism,” Bento said.

“But if anyone should take on the burden of pressure, it will be me.

“Moreover, Cristiano should not have the added pressure of thinking that winning a European Championship may be decisive in terms of the Ballon d’Or, because it will not be.”

On Saturday, Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw by Macedonia.

That disappointing result has forced Bento to admit his side will be up against it at the championships in Poland and Ukraine.

Turning his attention back to Portugal’s group, Bento admitted that his troops will be up against it this summer.

“Not since 2000 have we been in as balanced a group as this, with such strong teams,” Bento said.

“The three teams we must play have been champions of Europe.

“Denmark was the first in our qualification group and for many they are the weakest team, but I do not think so.

“The Netherlands were finalists at the last World Cup and they only lost one game in qualifying, their last (against Sweden), when they were already guaranteed a place in the Euros.

“And Germany claimed 30 of a possible 30 points.

“The only team that beat them at the Euros (in 2008) and the (2010) World Cup was Spain.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/bento-portugal-must-not-rely-on-ronaldo/95470/