AC Milan or Brazil on Leonardo plans for City of Joy

Kolkata, Nov 11 (UNI) Leonardo de Araujo is back in the city to which he connects and plans to bring the big boys from either AC Milan or Brazil sometime in near future if things fall into place.

As a talismanic midfielder of Brazil, whose role was to foil attacks and create moves in the center of the field, is in Kolkata for the second time in two years and is amazed at how 'everything still works' in this cauldron of congestion and how there's an 'underlying sense of order' in the visible chaos.

''I felt an emotional connect with Kolkata when I came here accompanying the Milan Under-17 squad last year. I'm glad to be back and soaking the warmth and positive energy of this historic city,'' the Brazilain World Cupper said.

Leonardo, secretary-general of the AC Milan Foundation, is in the city for an philanthropic cause. He inaugurates a multi-functional sports centre at Udayan, the shelter for children of leprosy victims in Telenipara in Barrackpore.

AC Milan had raised 2.5 million euros for 30 projects around the world, and this is its first venture in India.

Udayan is just the beginning of an everlasting relationship between Leonardo and Kolkata.

'' We will actively consider bringing the Milan Series A side here.'' But the Brazilian, who had made Milan his home, feels it's ''logistically easier'' to bring the Brazilian national squad to the city.

''I'll be chipping away at both, lets see what happens.'' Leonardo is the third in the big line of stars to be attached with Udayan after Dominique Lapierre breathed life into it in the 80s and later Steve Waugh adopted it.

Started with only 16 children, Udayan, now houses over 300 children in its roster.

Leonardo, who plays ''every Thursday'' in the foundation's fund-raiser tournament with the likes of Franco Baresi and Roberto Donadoni said, ''I feel Ronaldinho has a lot of game left in him.

This world cup he was heavily marked and later his frustration got the better of his game. He is far from over.'' However, he felt it was difficult for Ronaldo to make a comeback to the national squad after such an injury.

''It will be tough. But I like the way Brazil's new coach Dunga is going about handling the things. He has vision and has a lot of promise,'' Leonardo signed-off.

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