Now we know why they call football the game of billions. Until now, this used to mean the numbers of people who religiously follow the sport.

Now we know why they call football the game of billions. Until now, this used to mean the numbers of people who religiously follow the sport.

But with talk of Manchester City willing to splash over R1,4 billion to lure AC Milan's Brazilian international Kaka to England, this has given a whole new spin to the phrase.

While the rest of the world is reeling under a severe economic downturn, some, like Manchester City's rich owners, seem unperturbed by what is to them mere hiccups.

Kaka has decided to say no to the big money he stood to earn if he left Italy. He says he has followed his heart and will stay with Milan. We can bet our last billion that the moneybags will not lose heart and will raise the stakes.