Kaka describes playing for Real as 'easy'

Kaka joined Real over the summer (Reuters)

Kaka has described playing in the star-studded Real Madrid side as 'easy' in an ominous warning to the rest of Spain and Europe.

The Brazil star has joined Real alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol following a 200million euro spending spree sanctioned by returning president Florentino Perez.

"It is easy to play in this team, surrounded by people with such quality," said Kaka following a friendly victory over Real Sociedad.

"Now the most important thing is to find balance and we are getting there."

Speaking about the final piece of jigsaw, Spain midfielder Alonso from Liverpool, Kaka added: "Xabi has given us more security and fluidity.

"We understand each other well and I think we can do great things together.

"I have seen that the team with Xabi Alonso wins a lot of possession and this is very important."

Elsewhere in Spain, Barcelona players dominate the shortlist for Uefa's Club Football Awards following their domestic and European success last season.

The Spanish giants won an unprecedented treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey last term and the result is that half of the 12 contenders named in the four categories are Barca players.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been shortlisted in the goalkeeping category alongside Petr Cech of Chelsea and Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar.

The same three clubs have representatives in the defensive category where Gerard Pique will be hoping to be given the nod ahead of John Terry and Nemanja Vidic of Chelsea and United respectively.

Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta have been named alongside Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the midfield shortlist.

Up front Lionel Messi, former Barcelona and now Internazionale striker Samuel Eto'o plus ex-Manchester United and now Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo will contest the forwards' award.

The 16 coaches of the sides which reached the quarter-finals of last season's Champions League will all now cast their votes before the eventual winner in each category in unveiled.

Meanwhile, Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has hinted that the European champions are ready to turn to their promising younger players rather than make any big-money signings.

In recent days, Barca appear to have shelved their interest in Arsenal and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

When asked out future transfer plans, Begiristain said: "It depends on the value we put on our up and coming youngsters.

"If we don't value our homegrown players and the youngsters who've been training with the first-team squad then you could say the squad was small, yes.

"If we aren't bringing in more players, it's because our own youngsters are coming through well.

"We are continuing to work at building the best possible squad. We set our objectives and then try and reach them - sometimes that's possible and sometimes it's not.

"If we look at a range of players, we have to make sure that they fit in and especially that the coaches are convinced by them."