Kaka may have returned to Milan four years older and wiser, but he believes he still has a lot to learn from the next generation of Rossoneri stars.

The Brazilian forward is finally back at San Siro after four largely disappointing years with Real Madrid, where he was ultimately unable to make the most of a €70m move.

Despite forming part of Jose Mourinho’s Primera Liga-winning side last year, Kaka made fewer than 100 league appearances for the capital club and, after announcing his decision to leave Spain last week, he arrived in Milan on a free transfer on Monday.

Kaka, now 31, remains a folk hero among Rossoneri fans and players alike, having been the prodigious focal point of a Scudetto win in 2004 before firing Milan towards the Champions League trophy in 2007.

There was a marked contrast between the rapturous reception that greeted him in Milan this week and the quiet optimism that greeted his €8.5million arrival from Sao Paolo 10 years ago.

“It’s nice to be back,” he told a press conference. “Yesterday my wife and I were thinking about the day when we first came here but the good feelings are exactly the same.

“Seeing all the people at Milanello again made me feel like I’d never been away.

“I’ve learned a lot from players with more experience than me and now it’s up to me to take on the role of an expert. I don’t know how many more seasons I will last but I want to help these guys out and learn from them as well.”