Paolo Cesare Maldini ( italian pronunciation : [ ˈpaːolo malˈdiːni ] ; born 26 June 1968 ) is an italian early professional football player who played chiefly as a left back and centre back for AC Milan and the Italy national team. He is wide regarded as one of the greatest ever defenders and as one of the greatest players of all time. [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] As the Milan and Italy captain for many years he was nicknamed “ Il Capitano “ ( “ The Captain ” ). Maldini held the record for most appearances in Serie A, with 647, until 2020, when he was overtaken by Gianluigi Buffon. [ 12 ] He is presently serving as technical foul director for Milan, adenine well as being co-owner of USL Championship baseball club Miami FC. Maldini spent all 25 seasons of his playing career in the Serie A with Milan, before retiring at the senesce of 41 in 2009. He won 25 trophies with Milan : the European Cup/UEFA Champions League five times, seven Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, five Supercoppa Italiana titles, four European/UEFA Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup. Maldini won the Best defender trophy at the UEFA Club Football Awards at the old age of 39, american samoa well as the Serie A Defender of the Year Award in 2004. Following his retirement after the 2008–09 season, Milan retired his number 3 shirt. [ 13 ]
Reading: Paolo Maldini
Maldini made his debut for Italy in 1988, playing for 14 years before retiring in 2002 with 7 goals and 126 caps, an appearance commemorate at the meter, which has since been surpassed by Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluigi Buffon. Maldini captained Italy for eight years and held the read for appearances as Italy ‘s captain ( 75 ), until he was again overtaken by Cannavaro and Buffon. [ 14 ] With Italy, Maldini took part in four FIFA World Cups and three UEFA european Championships. Although he did not win a tournament with Italy, he reached the final examination of the 1994 World Cup and Euro 2000, and the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1988. He was elected into the all-star teams for each of these tournaments, in accession to Euro 1996. Maldini came moment to George Weah for FIFA World Player of the year in 1995. He besides placed third base in the Ballon d’Or in 1994 and 2003. [ 15 ] In 2002, he was chosen as a defender on the FIFA World Cup Dream Team, and in 2004 Pelé named him in the FIFA 100 list of the universe ‘s greatest live players. [ 16 ] He was besides selected for the Ballon d’Or Dream Team in 2020. Maldini held the record for most appearances in UEFA Club competitions, with 174, until he was overtaken by Iker Casillas in 2017. [ 17 ] He is the record appearance holder for Milan with 902 appearances in all competitions, [ 13 ] and is one of alone thirty-two players to have made over 1,000 career appearances. [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] In December 2012, he was inducted into the italian Football Hall of Fame. [ 21 ] Maldini ‘s forefather Cesare besides played for and captained Milan, and was a successful national under-21 director, who besides coached Milan and the senior home side during the 1998 World Cup .
Club career [edit ]
1984–1987 : Youth career, AC Milan senior debut and early professional career [edit ]
primitively a AC Milan youth squad product, Maldini besides went on to play his entire cabaret career with the elder slope. He won the Coppa Italia Primavera with the Milan Youth side during the 1984–85 season, and he made his league debut for Milan under director Nils Liedholm during the lapp season on 20 January 1985, replacing the hurt Sergio Battistini in a match against Udinese at long time 16. [ 22 ] It was his only league appearance of the campaign, but he was immediately made a member of the starting eleven the trace season, at old age 17, at right-back, being handed the phone number 3 shirt, which had previously besides belonged to his church father, Cesare. [ 23 ] He was by and by switched to his more iconic place of left-back due to his ability with his leave foot. Maldini besides made his Coppa Italia debut in 1985, on 21 August, while his introduction in european rival besides came late that lapp year, on 18 September. He scored the first of his 29 goals in Serie A on 4 January 1987 [ 25 ] in a 1–0 win against Como. [ 26 ] [ 27 ]
1987–1991 : domestic and international success with The immortals [edit ]
The 1987–88 Scudetto under Arrigo Sacchi marked Maldini ‘s first trophy, and the inaugural of seven league titles, with the club. [ 28 ] Nicknamed “ The Immortals ”, Sacchi ‘s Milan side is remembered for including the Dutch trio of Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, ampere well as the italian midfielders Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Donadoni ( and late Demetrio Albertini ), and a impregnable defensive batting order. [ 29 ] Under Sacchi and by and by Fabio Capello, Maldini formed with long-timers Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta, Mauro Tassotti, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as Filippo Galli, Stefano Nava and later Christian Panucci, one of football ‘s strongest defensive quartets of all clock. [ a ] During the 1987–88 Serie A season, Milan lone conceded 14 goals, finishing with the best refutation in Italy, as they went on to win the Serie A title. Following Baresi ‘s retirement, he besides formed a formidable and successful partnership with Alessandro Nesta. Maldini went on to win the 1988 Supercoppa Italiana with Milan the stick to season, and followed up this trophy with back to back european Cup titles in 1988–89 and 1989–90, while Milan finished in third and in second locate in Serie A during those respective seasons. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] On 19 February 1989, Maldini made his hundredth appearance in Serie A. Milan reached the final examination of the 1989–90 Coppa Italia, losing out to Juventus. Milan besides managed to capture consecutive european Super Cup titles in 1989 and 1990, deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as consecutive Intercontinental Cup titles, once again 1989 and 1990. The follow season, in Sacchi ‘s concluding season with the club, Milan were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the european Cup by eventual finalists Marseille, and finished second gear in Serie A, behind Sampdoria, once again with the best defense in the league, conceding only 19 goals. Milan reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, losing out to eventual champions Roma. In 1989, Maldini was awarded the Bravo Award, as the best under-23 actor in european Competitions. [ 26 ] [ 27 ]
1991–1996 : continue success with The invincibles [edit ]
Under Sacchi ‘s substitute, Fabio Capello, Milan continued to be a dominant allele force in Italy and in Europe. Maldini was besides separate of Milan ‘s undefeated Serie A team, which won the backing in the 1991–92 season ; in total, Milan went unbeaten for an italian record of 58 league matches, earning the dub “ The Invincibles ”. [ 38 ] This championship was Milan ‘s first of three back-to-back Serie A titles under Capello in the early 1990s. Maldini helped Milan defend the Serie A championship the watch temper, and reach the first of three back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals. milan lost the 1993 Champions League final in a 1–0 kill to Marseille. That season, Maldini scored his first finish in european Competitions on 21 October 1992 in a 1–0 Champions League win against Slovan Bratislava, [ 26 ] and besides made his two-hundredth appearance in Serie A on 4 October of the same year. The keep up season, Milan captured their third back-to-back Serie A entitle, finishing with the best defense in Italy, conceding equitable 15 goals. Maldini besides helped lead Milan to a second back-to-back Champions League final examination, where he helped his team frustration Barcelona. Due to Alessandro Costacurta ‘s suspension and injuries sustained to Franco Baresi, Jean-Pierre Papin and Marco van Basten, Barcelona ‘s “ Dream team ”, coached by Johan Cruyff, were heavy favourites to win the trophy, with the formidable attacking duet of Romário and Hristo Stoichkov. [ 39 ] Despite their key absences, Maldini helped the Milan defense keep a clean sheet and overcome Barcelona 4–0 in the concluding, with two goals from Daniele Massaro and one each from Dejan Savićević and Marcel Desailly. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 39 ] After winning his third base Champions League style and reaching the 1994 World Cup final, Maldini became the first defender ever to win World Soccer magazine ‘s annual World Player of the Year Award. During his credence lecture, Maldini called his milestone “ a particular matter of pride because defenders broadly receive indeed much less attention from fans and the media than goalscorers. We are more in the engine room quite than taking the glory ”. [ 40 ] He then singled out Milan captain Franco Baresi as a musician who “ very [ deserved ] to receive the classify of prize I have received ”. [ 40 ] Maldini besides placed third in the 1994 Ballon d’Or, behind Stoichkov and compatriot Roberto Baggio, and fifth in the FIFA World Player of the Year Award. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] The follow season, Milan and Maldini captured their third gear consecutive Supercoppa Italiana under Capello, and won the european Super Cup, missing out on the Intercontinental Cup. After three consecutive titles, Milan were ineffective to retain their Serie A title, although they reached their third consecutive Champions League final examination, where they were defeated 1–0 by Ajax. Maldini came second behind future teammate George Weah in the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year Award for his performances. On 17 February 1995, he made his three-hundredth appearance in Serie A. Maldini was able to capture his fifth Serie A entitle, and his one-fourth under Capello, the follow season. [ 26 ] [ 27 ]
1996–2001 : Assuming the captainship, struggles, and 1999 Serie A title [edit ]
Following Capello ‘s passing, and the aging and retirement of respective key players, Milan suffered disappoint results during the next few seasons, undergoing respective managerial changes. milan lost the Supercoppa Italiana to Fiorentina in 1996, and failed to qualify for european competitions for two back-to-back seasons, adenine good as suffering a group degree elimination in the 1996–97 Champions League. Following Franco Baresi ‘s and Mauro Tassotti ‘s retirement after the 1996–97 season, Maldini was appointed Milan ‘s captain. Despite the difficulties Milan encountered during this period, through Maldini ‘s leadership, they reached the Coppa Italia final in 1998, losing to Lazio, and won the 1998–99 Serie A title under Alberto Zaccheroni, finishing one distributor point ahead of Lazio. He made his four-hundredth Serie A appearance on 25 April 1999. In the 1999–2000 season, Milan lost the Supercoppa Italiana against Parma, finished third gear in Serie A and finished bottom of their Champions League group. Milan were eliminated in the second round of the Champions League the following season and finished in one-sixth place in Serie A, failing to qualify for the Champions League, and participated in the UEFA Cup the follow temper. [ 26 ] [ 27 ]
2001–2007 : New era of success [edit ]
Milan again became a dominant allele force out in Italy and in Europe under Carlo Ancelotti. In the 2001–02 season, Milan finished in fourth place, qualifying for the Champions League, and besides reached their best always finish in the UEFA Cup, losing in the semi-finals. In 2002, Maldini was awarded the Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare “ Gaetano Scirea ”, for his career achievements and personality. [ 41 ] The follow season, Maldini lined up with Alessandro Nesta, Alessandro Costacurta and Cafu, who, along with Jaap Stam during the 2004–05 season, formed a formidable defensive batting order in Italy and in Europe. Milan finished third gear in Serie A, but Maldini won the first gear Coppa Italia of his career, defeating Roma in the final. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] On 15 March 2003, he made his five-hundredth appearance in Serie A. Milan won the 2002–03 Champions League with Maldini as their captain for the first time in his career, in the first all-Italian final, against Juventus, on 28 May 2003 at Old Trafford. Maldini helped Milan keep a clean sheet, as they defeated Juventus 3–2 on penalties after a 0–0 deadlock following extra time. On that day, it was precisely 40 years since his father, Cesare, had besides lifted the european Cup trophy as Milan ‘s captain, besides in England. [ 42 ] He and his don are only one of three early father-son pairs to have besides done so ; the others being Manuel Sanchís Martínez and Manuel Sanchís Hontiyuelo of Real Madrid, and Carles and Sergio Busquets of Barcelona. Maldini was elected Man of the Match and was named in the UEFA Team of the class for the first prison term in his career. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] The postdate season, Milan were defeated by Juventus on penalties in the Supercoppa Italiana, and in the Intercontinental Cup concluding by Boca Juniors, once again on penalties, but managed to defeat Porto to capture yet another UEFA Super Cup. Maldini placed one-third in the 2003 Ballon d’Or for the second time in his career. Maldini went on to captain Milan to win the Serie A title that season, with a read 82 points, whilst Milan were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia by Lazio, and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Deportivo de La Coruña. In April 2004, Maldini placed tenth on the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll, an on-line UEFA survey, which was organised to commemorate the best european footballers of the past 50 years. Maldini was the second-highest place italian after Dino Zoff. [ 43 ] Maldini was besides included in the FIFA 100 number in 2004, which was a choice of the 125 greatest survive footballers, chosen by Pelé. Following his Series A-winning performances, Maldini was elected to be the Serie A Defender of the year in 2004 at the italian footballing Awards. [ 26 ] [ 27 ]
Maldini celebrating the 2007 UEFA Champions League victory with his Milan teammates. At 38, he was the oldest captain to lift the trophy. Maldini began the future season by lifting the 2004 Supercoppa Italiana as captain after Milan defeated Lazio. Milan finished second in Serie A to Juventus that season, and reached the Champions League final, only to lose out on penalties to Liverpool, although Maldini opened the grade in the first moment. In 2005, Maldini was elected to be a share of the UEFA Team of the year for the second meter in his career, and was besides elected to be the separate of the FIFPro World XI for the first meter in his career. The postdate temper, Milan finished second behind Juventus in Serie A once again, and reached the Champions League semi-finals, only to be defeated by eventual champions Barcelona. Both Juventus and Milan were late deducted points for being involved in the 2006 “ Calciopoli “ matchfixing scandal, and the title was awarded to Internazionale, while Juventus were relegated, with Milan finishing in third gear target after the point deduction. During the season, Maldini scored his first and only double of his career, against Reggina. On 25 September 2005, Maldini broke Dino Zoff ‘s Serie A appearance phonograph record after playing his 571st league match against Treviso ; [ 44 ] seven days early, he had played his 800th game in all competitions for Milan. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] The comply season, Maldini helped to captain Milan to a fourth-place ending, despite their point subtraction, leading them to obtain a crucial Champions League qualifying point. Maldini played his 600th Serie A match on 13 May 2007 in a 1–1 pull at Catania. [ 45 ] That temper, Maldini captained Milan to their third Champions League final in six years, leading them to a 2–1 victory over Liverpool in the final on 23 May 2007 in Athens, avenging their frustration from 2005. At long time 38, Maldini became the oldest captain to lift the Champions League trophy. [ 46 ] Maldini participated in eight Champions League finals during his career, which is equalled only by Francisco Gento of Real Madrid ; Maldini lifted the trophy five times, twice as captain. In an consultation with ESPN aired prior to the 2007 final, Maldini labeled the 2005 Champions League final examination as the worst moment of his career. A pit where he scored the fastest-ever finish in a european Cup final examination after 51 seconds and became the oldest musician ever to score in a final, Milan lost on penalties to Liverpool after leading 3–0 at half-time. Maldini was elected the UEFA Club Defender of the year for his 2007 performances. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] In 2007, after Milan won the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla ( although Maldini did not appear in the match ), Maldini became the inaugural european master to lift the FIFA Club World Cup after defeating Boca Juniors on 16 December. He announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2007–08 temper, saying that he would do so with “ no regrets ”. [ 47 ] Following Milan ‘s elimination from the Champions League by Arsenal in March, however, Maldini stated that he would possibly delay his retirement for at least a far year. [ 48 ] He signed an extension on 6 June that kept him at Milan for the 2008–09 season. [ 49 ]
2008–2009 : final years and retirement [edit ]
Maldini in 2008 On 16 February 2008, in the match against Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, Maldini came on for defender Marek Jankulovski to make his 1,000th professional career appearance, [ 50 ] [ 51 ] of which 861 were with Milan, 12 with the Italy under-21 side, 1 with the italian Olympic team and 126 with the Italy senior team. [ 52 ] In european football, only the English goalkeeper Peter Shilton had collected more appearances at the time : 1,390 between 1966 and 1997. Maldini played his last game in the Champions League on 4 March 2008, a 2–0 personnel casualty at the San Siro in the last 16 against Arsenal which eliminated Milan from the 2007–08 Champions League. In 2008, Maldini was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit, american samoa well as the Premio Internazionale Giacinto Facchetti, which is awarded to a player who was demonstrated both skill and fairly play throughout his career. [ 27 ] [ 53 ] On 18 April 2009, Maldini announced that he would retire at the end of the 2008–09 temper. [ 26 ] [ 27 ] On 17 May 2009, in the Stadio Friuli, Maldini played his 900th official equal for Milan in a league game against Udinese. Maldini ‘s last equal in San Siro was on 24 May, a 3–2 personnel casualty against Roma, and was given a standing ovation by the fans. There was a minor controversy, however, when the Milan Ultras fans known as Brigate Rossonere protested against Maldini as he said adieu. [ 54 ] [ 55 ] His last appearance for Milan, and his final game as an active actor, was a 2–0 succeed against Fiorentina on 31 May 2009 in the last match of the Serie A season. This win meant Milan finished in one-third place and qualified for the pursuit season ‘s Champions League. Maldini was once again given a standing ovation by the fans. As they had previously done with Franco Baresi ‘s count 6 shirt, Milan retired Maldini ‘s number 3 shirt, but stated that it will be bequeathed to one of his sons if one of them were to make the club ‘s senior team. [ 27 ] [ 56 ] [ 57 ] On 28 August 2009 in Monte Carlo, Paolo Maldini was Awarded a respect for his career by UEFA during the drawing card for the group stage of the 2009–10 Champions League. [ 58 ] On 17 November 2009, spanish sports newspaper Marca awarded Maldini the “ Marca Leyenda ” prize for his career and achievements. [ 59 ] [ 60 ]
International career [edit ]
early on career and 1990 World Cup [edit ]
Maldini ‘s Italy jersey from the 1990 FIFA World Cup, located in the Football Museum in Florence In 1986, Maldini was called up by his forefather Cesare Maldini to the italian under-21 national team, and made his introduction for the team on the 12 November of that year, in a 0–0 draw against Austria ; [ 61 ] he earned 12 caps and scored five goals in two years with the azzurrini, [ 61 ] with his foremost finish coming on 11 February 1987, in a 2–1 gain against Portugal. [ 61 ] Maldini was besides member of the under-21 team that finished runner-up to Spain in the 1986 UEFA european Under-21 Championship. [ 62 ] [ 63 ] Two years late, he besides featured for the under-21 team that was eliminated in the first gear round against eventual winners France in the 1988 UEFA european Under-21 Championship. [ 64 ] Maldini made his senior debut for the Italy senior team at long time 19 on 31 March 1988 in a 1–1 friendly draw against Yugoslavia in Split, [ 65 ] and made one appearance for the Italy Olympic team on 28 October 1987, although he was not separate of the team that finished in fourth space at the 1988 Olympics. Maldini featured in all four of Italy ‘s games at UEFA Euro 1988, where they reached the semi-finals, losing to the Soviet Union. [ 27 ] [ 61 ] [ 66 ] Maldini participated in his inaugural World Cup in 1990 on home dirt, appearing in all seven Italy matches. He helped Italy to win five consecutive games and was a start member of the defense that kept a FIFA World Cup commemorate of five consecutive clean sheets. The italian defense finally conceded an equalising goal in the semi-final match against Carlos Bilardo ‘s Argentina, after going a World Cup commemorate sum of 518 minutes without conceding. [ 67 ] Following two periods of extra clock, in which neither team was able to score, Italy lost out to Argentina on penalties. Italy finally placed third after defeating England 2–1 in the third-place final examination match, and finishing the tournament with the best defensive structure having conceded two goals throughout the entire World Cup. Maldini was elected to be part of the team of the Tournament. [ 27 ] [ 61 ]
1994 World Cup Final and date to captaincy [edit ]
Maldini with Italy in 1994 Maldini ‘s first international goal came in his 44th career match, in a 2–0 friendly succeed over Mexico in Florence on 20 January 1993. [ 65 ] Maldini was part of the Italy team that participated in the 1992 U.S. Cup, finishing in moment place in the friendly tournament, behind the host state. Italy failed to qualify for Euro 1992, finishing second in their group, but qualified for the 1994 World Cup, where Maldini was named vice-captain for Italy. During the 1994 World Cup, Maldini played in all seven of Italy ‘s matches, and deputised for the injure Franco Baresi in the matches against Mexico, Nigeria, Spain and Bulgaria, keeping a clean sheet in the group match against Norway. Maldini led the italian defense to the final, playing both as a centre-back and as a full-back, due to the absences of his Milan and Italy defensive teammates Baresi, due to injury, Mauro Tassotti, due to suspension after the quarter-finals, and Alessandro Costacurta, who was suspended for the final examination. Maldini helped Italy keep a clean plane in the concluding against favourites Brazil as the team finally lost on penalties. As in 1990, Maldini was named in the team of the Tournament, 32 years after his father Cesare received the same honor at the 1962 World Cup. [ 27 ] [ 61 ]
Italy ’ s goalkeeper : easiest speculate in Europe .
— Nike slogan accompanied with an image of Maldini which appeared on billboards anterior to Euro 96. [ 68 ]
After Franco Baresi ‘s international retirement in 1994, Maldini was appointed the team ‘s full-time captain. A disappointing euro 1996 campaign saw Italy eliminated in the group stage with four points, in a group which contained the two eventual finalists of the tournament, Germany and the Czech Republic. Maldini played in all three of Italy ‘s group matches. The 1998 World Cup in France saw Italy start strongly, topping their group. Maldini played in all five of Italy ‘s matches, and started the act that led to Christian Vieri ‘s afford goal in Italy ‘s first gear peer against Chile, which ended in a 2–2 draw. Maldini, partnering with Alessandro Costacurta, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta and Giuseppe Bergomi, besides helped Italy to keep clean sheets in the moment group meet against Cameroon, the round of 16 pit Norway and France in the quarter-finals, but Italy finally went out of the tournament to the hosts and eventual champions on penalties, for the third base consecutive fourth dimension in a World Cup. [ 27 ]
euro 2000 Final and fourth World Cup [edit ]
Maldini made his hundredth appearance for Italy on 28 April 1999, in a 0–0 friendly away withdraw against Croatia, under coach Dino Zoff. [ 69 ] The follow year, Italy reached the final of Euro 2000, but lost once again to defending World Cup champions France in extra time. Maldini played in all six of Italy ‘s matches during the tournament. Italy topped their group, winning every couple, and Maldini, starting aboard Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta, helped the italian defensive structure to concede merely two goals en route to the final, keeping clean sheets against co-hosts Belgium in the group stagecoach, Romania in the quarter-finals and co-hosts the Netherlands in the semi-finals. A ten-man Italy advanced to the final on penalties after a 0–0 draw with the dutch following extra clock. Although Maldini missed his penalty, Italy won the gunfight 3–1. [ 70 ] Italy were leading 1–0 in the final until Wiltord equalised in the final examination minute of arrest time. David Trezeguet scored the golden goal in the 103rd minute, in extra meter. [ 71 ] In all of the three UEFA european Championships in which Maldini participated, he was elected to be separate of the team of the tournament for his performances. [ 27 ] On 7 October 2000, in a 3–0 winnings over Romania in Milan in a 2002 World Cup modifier, Maldini overtake Dino Zoff to become Italy ‘s most capped musician of all time with his 113th senior external appearance for Italy. [ 72 ] Maldini play in his fourthly World Cup, and his second as captain, in the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. He helped Italy keep a clean and jerk sheet in their opening succeed against Ecuador, and played in all four of Italy ‘s matches. Italy disappointed in the remaining group matches, but went on to the knockout circle as the second base placed team of their group. immediately after a ten-man Italy were controversially eliminated in the circle of sixteen, by a gold goal, to co-hosts South Korea, Maldini retired from external football, at the age of 34, as Italy ‘s most capped actor. [ 27 ] He scored seven international goals, all coming in dwelling games. He spent over half of his 16 years as an external as team master, wearing the armband a record 74 times, [ 73 ] until he was overtaken by Cannavaro, and subsequently Buffon. [ 61 ] [ 74 ] Despite his performances for his nation, Maldini was unable to win a trophy, although he reached the final examination of both the World Cup and the european Championship. Maldini made 23 appearances in World Cups, the second gear highest total after Lothar Matthäus, who appeared in 25 matches. Maldini holds the phonograph record for most minutes played in World Cup matches with 2,216 minutes played. [ 75 ] In February 2009, italian head coach Marcello Lippi declared his support for a testimonial match for Maldini, stating that it would give him a probability to play for the Azzurri for a final meter. [ 76 ] The italian Football Federation ( FIGC ) offered him a position in the line-up in a friendly pit against Northern Ireland. Maldini, however, rejected the extend, saying that he wanted to part with football in an “ official ” match. [ 77 ]
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After retirement [edit ]
Maldini in a 2014 charity match anterior to his retirement, Maldini expressed that he would never be moving into a coaching career. [ 78 ] [ 79 ] He was offered a position that would have reunited him with his erstwhile director Carlo Ancelotti by joining Chelsea as a bus, having reportedly met with Ancelotti and with Chelsea ‘s owner, Roman Abramovich, to discuss such a possibility. [ 80 ] Ancelotti late announced that Maldini had turned down his put up to become partially of Chelsea ‘s coach staff. [ 81 ] In 2012, Maldini was inducted into the italian Football Hall of Fame. Maldini played in the 11th Match Against Poverty on 4 March 2014, appearing with early star players including Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luís Figo and Pavel Nedvěd, which was held in Bern, Switzerland, with proceeds raised helping the recovery efforts in the Philippines in the awaken of Typhoon Haiyan. [ 82 ] [ 83 ] On 1 September 2014, Maldini, along with many stream and erstwhile footballing stars, took share in the “ Match for Peace ”, which was played at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, with the proceeds being donated to charity. [ 84 ] [ 85 ] [ 86 ] In May 2015, it was announced that Maldini became the co-owner of north american Soccer League ( NASL ) club Miami FC, alongside television rights entrepreneur Riccardo Silva, in hope that the team would be able to join the Major League Soccer ( MLS ) in future. [ 87 ] On 1 May 2016, Maldini became the moment actor ever after Southampton ‘s Matthew Le Tissier to receive the One Club Man Award from Basque club Athletic Bilbao ; he was presented with the loot at half-time, during the club ‘s 2–1 home win over Celta de Vigo, and received a standing ovation from the attend fans. [ 88 ] In June 2017, Maldini qualified for the Aspria Tennis Cup in Milan, a professional tennis tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour, along with his doubles collaborator Stefano Landonio, after winning a modifier in Italy. [ 89 ] They were defeated in the first round off by Tomasz Bednarek and David Pel by a score of 6–1, 6–1. [ 90 ] After the kill, Maldini conceded that it was probable to be his last professional tennis match. [ 91 ] In August 2018, a few weeks after Milan ‘s change of ownership in favor of Elliott Management Corporation, he accepted an offer to become the sporting strategy & growth director for the clubhouse, working aboard fresh sporting director Leonardo. This marked his rejoinder to the club since his retirement from active football. [ 92 ] On 14 June 2019, Maldini was promoted to technical director. [ 93 ]
Player visibility [edit ]
style of play [edit ]
“ Maldini was the best and toughest defender I ever faced. He had everything : he was a complete defender, who was strong, intelligent, and an excellent man-marker. ”
— Zlatan Ibrahimović. [ 94 ]
Although he played as a left back for most of his career, Maldini was naturally correctly footed, and began playing for Milan as a right back. He was switched to the left back place by director Arrigo Sacchi due to the bearing of Mauro Tassotti on the justly for Milan. [ 95 ] This was made possible due to Maldini ‘s tactical versatility and ability with both feet, which allowed him to play anywhere along the backline, and have a long and successful professional career, both with Milan and Italy. [ 96 ] [ 97 ]
“ He was one of the best defenders in Champions League history, but what was so impressive about him is that when he was on the musket ball he did n’t look like a defender, but like an elegant midfield player. ”
— Ronaldinho. [ 98 ] [ 99 ]
Maldini was renowned for his technical foul ability, athleticism, sliding tackles, stamen, composure and fast energetic forth runs as a left-back or wing-back. [ 100 ] [ 101 ] [ 102 ] [ 103 ] [ 104 ] He was besides an excellent cross of the ball, and was an effective attack threat, scoring and assisting several goals throughout his career. [ 105 ] [ 106 ] In the final examination few years of his career, as he lost speed, he was moved to a centre-back position, where he excelled in relying on his have, tactical ability, positioning and timing to win the ball. [ 107 ] As a centre-back, Maldini was renowned for his punctuate, awareness and ability to anticipate a threat from the opposition. [ 11 ] [ 108 ] Despite being a precise tackler and an imposing defensive presence, he frequently avoided committing to challenges when he deemed them unnecessary, [ 109 ] preferring to restrict the offense play of his opponents through his aligning and marking. [ 110 ] Maldini was besides known for his aerial ability, strength, tackling and man-marking, adenine well as his tactical cognition. [ 96 ] [ 100 ] [ 111 ] His excrete stove and ability to begin plays from the backline besides allowed him to advance into the midfield and excel in the carpet sweeper or libero side, on the rare occasion that he was deployed in this character. [ 100 ] [ 112 ]
bequest [edit ]
“ I always found it very difficult when I came up against Paolo Maldini. He was the best defender I faced over the course of my career. He decidedly deserved to win the award FIFA World Player of the Year several times over. ”
— Ronaldo. [ 113 ]
Maldini is considered to have been one of the greatest defenders of all time, and has been described as “ an picture and gentleman of the game ”. [ 11 ] [ 114 ] He was known for his calm and compose manner on the sales talk, vitamin a well as his ability to read the game, preferring elegance and intelligence to animalism and aggression when champion ; regarded as a compensate player, known for his discipline on the pitch, he only received three crimson cards throughout his entire career. [ 11 ] [ 115 ] [ 116 ] In a 2002 FIFA poll, Maldini was selected as a defender in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team. [ 117 ]
“ Paolo Maldini. When you found him in battlefront of you you knew you would not pass. He was boastfully. He was solid with his head, with his right foot, with his left foundation … You needed to put together 15 players to make one like him. ”
— Roberto Baggio in 2017, when he was asked who was the best defender he had always faced. [ 118 ]
Maldini was the foremost defender always shortlisted for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, finishing second in 1995. [ 119 ] He was besides doubly elected as a finalist for the Ballon d’Or, in 1994 and in 2003, where he finished one-third on both occasions. In addition to his team success, he besides won several individual accolades and awards. He won the UEFA Defender of the year, the Serie A defender of the class, the Bravo Award and the World Soccer Player of the Year Award. He has besides been elected as share of the UEFA Team of the class, the FIFPro World XI, the World Cup Team of the Tournament and the European Championship Team of the Tournament during his career. Maldini was a symbol of his club and the italian national football team. [ 120 ] [ 121 ] He was renowned for his consistency, versatility, work-rate, and longevity, breaking into the Milan starting lineup as a adolescent and remaining there throughout his career until he retired at the old age of 41. [ 122 ] Throughout his career, Maldini was besides considered to be a leader, both for Milan and for the italian national team, earning the nickname “ Il Capitano “ ( “ The Captain ” ). [ 123 ] He was renowned for his outspoken, commanding presence on the cant, and for his awareness, communication and organizational skills, helping to motivate his teammates and ensuring they remained in position. [ 108 ] He played in over 1,000 master matches during his 25 seasons at Milan, and was the criminal record appearance holder in Serie A until he was overtaken by Gianluigi Buffon in 2020, and still is for Milan in all competitions. Maldini besides appeared in a record eight UEFA Champions League Finals, and is the record appearance holder in all UEFA baseball club competitions. [ 108 ] With 126 caps during the 16 years he played for Italy, he was the criminal record appearance holder for the national team, until he was overtaken by Fabio Cannavaro in 2009 and by Gianluigi Buffon in 2013. He besides once held the record number of caps for Italy as captain, wearing the armband on 74 occasions, [ 11 ] until being overtaken by Cannavaro. [ 124 ] Maldini has inspired many defenders like Rio Ferdinand, Rafael Márquez and Carles Puyol. [ 125 ] [ 126 ] [ 127 ]
Media [edit ]
Maldini has appeared in commercials for the american sportswear ship’s company Nike. [ 128 ] [ 129 ] He wore Nike Tiempo football boots at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. [ 130 ] In 1996, he starred in a Nike commercial titled “ good five Evil ” in a gladiatorial game set in a Roman amphitheater. Appearing aboard football players from around the worldly concern, including Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Luís Figo, Patrick Kluivert and Jorge Campos, they defend “ the beautiful game “ against a team of demonic warriors, with Maldini submit, “ possibly they ‘re friendly ? ” before he starts the be active which culminates with Cantona striking the testis and “ destroying evil ”. [ 128 ] Maldini features in EA Sports ‘ FIFA television plot series ; he was on the cover for the italian edition of FIFA: Road to World Cup 98, [ 131 ] and was named in the Ultimate Team Legends in FIFA 14. [ 132 ]
personal life [edit ]
Maldini was born in Milan to Cesare Maldini and Maria Luisa De Mezzi. [ 133 ] He has been married to Venezuelan former exemplary Adriana Fossa since December 1994. [ 134 ] [ 135 ] The pair have two sons, Christian ( born 14 June 1996 ) and Daniel ( bear 11 October 2001 ), [ 136 ] who both have been signed by Maldini ‘s former club Milan and played in the youth teams. [ 137 ] [ 138 ] His father Cesare was besides a football player who besides played as a defender, captained Milan, and represented the Italy national team, belated going on to become a coach. Throughout Cesare ‘s managerial career, he coached his son both in the Italy under-21 side and the elder team, arsenic well as at Milan, besides managing several early teams. [ 139 ] On 3 April 2016, Paolo ‘s father Cesare died at the age of 84 ; [ 140 ] his mother died later that year, on 28 July. [ 133 ] [ 141 ] Maldini has his own fashion label – Sweet Years – which he runs with friend and former Italy and Milan teammate Christian Vieri. [ 142 ] [ 143 ] On 21 March 2020, it was confirmed that Maldini and his son Daniel both tested convinced for COVID-19, amid its pandemic in Italy ; [ 144 ] [ 145 ] by 8 April, he and his son had recovered. [ 146 ]
career statistics [edit ]
club [edit ]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[147]
Team
Season
League
Coppa Italia
Europe
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
AC Milan
1984–85
Serie A
1
0
0
0
–
–
1
0
1985–86
Serie A
27
0
6
0
6
0
1
0
40
0
1986–87
Serie A
29
1
7
0
–
1
0
37
1
1987–88
Serie A
26
2
1
0
2
0
–
29
2
1988–89
Serie A
26
0
7
0
7
0
–
40
0
1989–90
Serie A
30
1
6
0
8
0
3
0
47
1
1990–91
Serie A
26
4
3
0
4
0
2
0
35
4
1991–92
Serie A
31
3
7
1
–
–
38
4
1992–93
Serie A
31
2
8
0
10
1
1
0
50
3
1993–94
Serie A
30
1
2
0
10
1
4
0
46
2
1994–95
Serie A
29
2
1
0
11
0
2
0
43
2
1995–96
Serie A
30
3
3
0
8
0
–
41
3
1996–97
Serie A
26
1
3
0
6
0
1
0
36
1
1997–98
Serie A
30
0
7
0
–
–
37
0
1998–99
Serie A
31
1
2
0
–
–
33
1
1999–2000
Serie A
27
1
4
0
6
0
1
0
38
1
2000–01
Serie A
31
1
4
0
14
0
–
49
1
2001–02
Serie A
15
0
0
0
4
0
–
19
0
2002–03
Serie A
29
2
1
0
19
0
–
49
2
2003–04
Serie A
30
0
0
0
9
0
3
0
42
0
2004–05
Serie A
33
0
0
0
13
1
1
0
47
1
2005–06
Serie A
14
2
0
0
9
0
–
23
2
2006–07
Serie A
18
1
0
0
9
0
–
27
1
2007–08
Serie A
17
1
0
0
4
0
2
0
23
1
2008–09
Serie A
30
0
0
0
2
0
–
32
0
Career total
647
29
72
1
161
3
22
0
902
33
^ european competitions include the european Cup/UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup
^ early tournaments include the Supercoppa Italiana, European/UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
^ Play-off for UEFA Cup admission
International [edit ]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[61][148]
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Italy
1988
10
0
1989
7
0
1990
11
0
1991
8
0
1992
7
0
1993
5
2
1994
12
0
1995
7
1
1996
7
0
1997
11
2
1998
11
1
1999
7
1
2000
11
0
2001
7
0
2002
5
0
Total
126
7
- Scores and results list Italy’s goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Maldini goal.[61]
Honours [edit ]
AC Milan [ 147 ] [ 13 ] [ 26 ] [ 149 ] [ 150 ]
Italy [ 151 ]
Individual
Records
Orders
Notes [edit ]
See besides [edit ]
References [edit ]
Read more: Lille OSC