The former red and black player is now the mayor of Tbilisi, the capital of his home country of Georgia: "It gives me the same joy as when I won the Champions League with Milan." And about his son Levan: "He looks a lot like me, he can become stronger than me."
Former European champion with Ancelotti's Milan, mayor of a capital city, Tbilisi, who is running for a third consecutive term in the October elections, father of a footballer who looks like him and bears the name (Levan) of his brother, kidnapped in 2002 and found dead a few years later.
Interviewing Kakhaber Kaladze is easy: he has so many things, good and bad, to tell, that there is almost no need for questions. Just listen to him.
Kaladze, let's start with your son who made his professional debut at the end of July, at the age of 16.
"I'm proud and happy because he loves football and was waiting for this moment. We'll see what the future holds for him, but he has the desire to become a footballer: he has to work and commit himself to the maximum if he is to succeed."
Will the heavy surname he bears help him or be a hindrance?
"I don't know. Of course, everyone will expect a lot from him. On the other hand, he will have the help of a father who, as a player, has spent years in the world of football. Moreover, I played the same role as him, left-back and left-back. I can give him some advice."
How similar is it to you?
"A lot, because physically he is very big, one meter ninety at the age of sixteen. Technically with his left foot he is good, but he can and must improve. I hope he becomes even stronger than me: I know it is not easy, but if he gives sacrifice and dedication, character and will to do, with a little luck, he can reach the top."
When he was born, in 2009, you named him after your brother who was kidnapped and then killed.
"What happened to my brother was something terrible: it caused my family immense suffering and ruined my first year at Milan. The news of his kidnapping (in 2001) and then of his death (confirmed in 2006) were pains that I will carry inside for the rest of my life. I cannot find peace about what happened to my brother."
How did you manage to move forward?
"I don't know where I found the strength, but it helped me a lot to be at Milan and have an extraordinary group of guys around me. Besides, I am strong by nature and I knew that if I fell, my family would be destroyed. I moved forward and we overcame this drama. The fact that my son bears my brother's name makes his memory live even more within me."
With all your commitments as mayor of Tbilisi, do you manage to follow your son's career?
"Time is available, although governing the capital of my country, a city of one and a half million inhabitants, is complicated. In football, as in politics, one person alone cannot do anything. Not even if it is Ronaldo... You need a great team of people working with you and, in this respect, I have been lucky. This is why I decided to run for a third term in the October 4 elections and I am convinced that I will win this battle too: with our party, Georgian Dream, we want to develop our capital and our country."
How is the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been going on for more than three years, viewed up close from your Georgia?
"The situation in our region is worrying, but more generally I am concerned about what is happening in the world, all the other conflicts that bring death and destruction. We, as Georgia, are part of Europe and we are doing our best to end the war."
In Tbilisi, help Ukrainians who have fled their country.
"Some have come and stayed here, others are in the surrounding towns. They are living in a terrible situation: some have lost their families, their homes and everything they had. I hope the war ends soon."
Was he more comfortable as a defender or now as mayor?
(Laughs) "Being mayor is an important commitment: the responsibilities are many, but when I manage to do beautiful things for the city and the residents are satisfied, I feel a great joy like when I won with Milan."
What message would you like to give to Franco Baresi, who is going through a difficult health moment?
"They told me and I hope Franco recovers quickly. I am close to him and I love him very much."
You are still in contact with your Milan boys via WhatsApp.
"We were an extraordinary group and we have remained friends over time. Playing for that Milan for me was an immense pride and pleasure. Thanks to President Berlusconi, Galliani and Braida, a family had been formed and we only had to think about playing: for everything that happened off the pitch, they were there. They also helped me with my brother's case. Milan for me will always be a second home, not just a club with an extraordinary history."
If we ask you for a memory from the red and black years, would you choose the first or second Champions League you won?
"The second allowed us to avenge the Istanbul defeat against Liverpool, but the first was something extraordinary because there were some young players in the group who had never experienced such an emotion. Beating Juve in Manchester was something unique and a big part of the credit was Ancelotti, a special person."
Allegri is now on the Milan bench.
"Allegri is a winner and Modric a world-class footballer. I wish Milan to return to the Champions League, which is its home, and then win again. Even though I'm away, I will always be a Milan fan." /tch
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