MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Brazilian international striker Kaka, who joined Real Madrid from AC Milan in June, said yesterday he enjoys playing in Spain more than in Italy because the football played here is “technically richer”.

“I enjoy myself more here than in Italy because here there is a more open football, that is technically richer. Italian football is more tactical,” he told news radio Cadena Ser.

The 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year, who had been at AC Milan since arriving from Sao Paulo in 2003, said his priority is winning the Champions League with Real and he “feels totally recovered” from a hernia.

“I prefer to win the Champions League over La Liga. It is a more important tournament and it would be a dream to win it at the Bernabeu,” he said, referring to Real’s stadium which will in May host the final of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in 30 years.

Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite, which is Kaka’s full name, won the 2007 Champions League with AC Milan as well as the 2004 Italian league title, two European Super Cups and the world club championship in 2007.

The 27-year-old returned to action during Real’s 2-0 win over Real Mallorca after being sidelined with a groin strain since his side’s 1-0 loss to arch-rivals Barcelona at the end of November.

“I played for seven months with pain but thank God it no longer hurts me. On Sunday I was able to play for nearly 70 minutes without pain. I know people expected much more from me but the hernia limits me a great deal,” he said.

Kaka also heaped praise on Portuguese playmaker Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined the Spanish side from Manchester United one month after his own move to Real made headlines around the world.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player and a very funny person. We are friends and talk about everything. He’s a phenomenon,” he said.