Former Rossoneri sporting director Adriano Galliani talks about the best signings in AC Milan history.
Adriano Galliani was AC Milan’s sporting director for nearly 30 years. Galliani oversaw the Rossoneri’s mercato during its most glorious period bringing world class players at San Siro and winning the Champions League five times among other achievements.
In an event hosted by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the former Rossoneri director returned to talk about AC Milan. When asked which were the three best signings in AC Milan history, Galliani replied: “Absolutely Van Basten, Shevchenko and Kaka“. All three players won the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or during their tenure at San Siro.
Gallinai claims that Marco van Basten was the only one that could have reached Messi and Ronaldo’s Ballon d’Or levels. The Swan Of Utrecht played for six season with AC Milan but was forced to stop playing football at the age of 28 due to a persistent ankle injury. Until his early retirement van Basten had won the Champions League and Ballon d’Or three times.
Andriy Shevchenko caught Galliani’s attention after scoring a hat-trick against Barcelona at Camp Now. AC Milan spent a then record 24 million euros fee to sign the Dynamo Kiev striker. In his first spell at AC Milan Shevchenko scored 173 goals in 296 appearances. His return in 2008 was a forgettable flop.
Ricardo Kaka joined AC Milan in 2003 as a little known Brazilian talent. The elegant attacking midfielder became an icon during his time with the Rossoneri winning every possible trophy. Kaka scored 104 goals and assisted 85 in 307 appearances with the Red and Blacks. In 2009 Kaka became AC Milan’s most expensive player sale ever when he joined Real Madrid for a record transfer fee of 67 million euros.
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