Newly crowned World Footballer of the Year Kaka Monday decided to stay with AC Milan despite English club Manchester City gave a record-breaking offer. The news came following a full day of meetings between Milan, City and Kaka's father and chief adviser Bosco Leite to discuss a bid estimated at 100 million pounds (about 147 million U.S. dollars). City had reportedly been ready to offer Kaka a salary of nearly 500,000 pounds a week which will make him the highest-paid soccer player in the world.
The Brazilian playmaker Monday told Milan Channel that he "choose with my heart" and "it was absolutely not economical".
Kaka's decision was greeted with scenes of celebration in Milan, but dealt a serious blow to City's plans of using its newfound wealth to quickly build a world-class squad after being taken over by an Abu Dhabi investment group during the offseason.
The 26-year-old Kaka is under contract with Milan through 2013.
AC Milan Kaka (R) and Pelipe of Fiorentina fight for the ball during their Italian Serie A soccer match at San Siro stadium in Milan January 17, 2009.