Paolo Maldini

There are few footballers that are classified as  legends while still playing. There are even fewer that command the universal respect and acclaim that a certain Paolo Maldini did.

Paolo Cesare Maldini, a one club man which says quite a bit in these days where professional footballers have little regard  for virtues such as loyalty. He spent his 25 seasons at AC Milan and enshrined his name in legend. Playing as a left/central defender,his grace and tactical nous ensured he remained relevant even into his 40's.

Maldini, the son of Cesare (another Milan stalwart), played his first game for the Rossoneri in January 1985 against Udinese, aged 16. He retired in May 2009 at the age of 40. Between 1988 and 2002 he picked up 126 caps for Italy (74 of them as captain) to become the Azzurri’s most-capped player until Fabio Cannavaro overtook him. Maldini won seven Scudetti, five European Cups and a whole host of other club and individual honours.. He came second to George Weah for the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 1995, the closest a defender had ever reached to winning the award, until Fabio Cannavaro, a fellow Italian won the award in 2006.


However, none of this even begins to describe the sheer charisma of the man. Not exactly an attacking full back, his composure on the ball was still incredible and he was rarely in discomfort, if ever.


The number three jersey lies retired at Milan, along with Franco Baresi's number six paying rich tribute to a footballer who was also a gentleman, elegant, dignified and graceful in the extreme. His average of 1 tackle per 1.8 games speaks volumes about his incredible positioning and tactical nous. Being part of Arrigo Sacchi's all conqueriing AC Milan squad, alongside Tassotti, Costacurta and Baresi, he learnt from the masters themselves. And it showed, in every single pass he played, in every interception he made, in every frightening winger he rendered ineffective and even in the way he carried himself.

This is not a glowing testimonial for the man, it is just an appreciation of the truth. And the truth is profoundly simple, Maldini was arguably the most elegant defender Italy has ever produced. Elegance is the only way to describe his free flowing style and graceful postioning and the incredibly well assessed tackle that he possessed. He was indeed an institution in himself. His longevity resulted in over 900 appearances for the Rossoneri with his last coming against Fiorentina at the San Siro in 2009, aged 41. He bowed out with the assured calm that we had come to expect of him.

His brilliant performances and dignified character ensured a larger than life persona that never grew larger than the game itself. A true legend ,leader and gentleman,he gave it all he could. As Del Piero said,"You really are number one. There are great players, and world-class players and then there are those players who go beyond that. Paolo is the perfect example of all of this""

For all those years we've marvelled at your talents and brilliance, all we'd like to say is Grazie, Paolo..