Barney Corkhill's "A Tribute To..." series once again looks at football. In this series I look at the greatest talents to grace various sports.
Today's tribute is to one of the most decorated, loyal, and respected players in World Football history. He is the record appearance holder of AC Milan, Serie A, and Italy.
I speak, of course, of the great Paolo Maldini.
Born June 26, 1968, Paolo Cesare Maldini had football in his blood. His father, Cesare Maldini, was also an accomplished centre-back, and is still regarded in high esteem at his club, AC Milan. He went on to manage Milan briefly in 2001.
He set off on his journey to emulate his father by joining the Milan youth team aged 10. For the next seven years, he would star in that youth team, so much so that he was turning out for the AC Milan first team while still eligible.
But, despite his father's ties with Milan, Paolo Maldini was actually a Juventus fan growing up, and started off for Milan as a left-winger, before he was moved back into the left-back slot which he would make his own.
His debut came on January 20, 1985, when he was just 16 years of age. He performed well in the 45 minutes he was given, but, due to his young age, that was his only league appearance of the season.
The following season saw Maldini see more action, playing 40 games in total, and Milan, despite being cautious in using him too often, due to his inexperience, and the fact that he would be coming up against players like Diego Maradona, could see his huge potential..
Everything seemed to come together for Milan in the 1987/88 season as Silvio Berlusconi's idea of a dream team started to come to fruition. He had poured a lot of money into the club, and immediately saw the rewards.
With Dutch stars Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit arriving, later to be joined by Frank Rijkaard, and Italian Roberto Donadoni joining up with Franco Baresi and Maldini, Milan became a formidable machine.
They won the title that season, only losing two games along the way.
On an individual level, Maldini was awarded his Italian debut on March 31, 1988 against Yugoslavia, aged just 19, and went on to appear in all of Italy's games in that summer's European Championships.
The following season saw Milan miss out on the league crown, finishing third behind arch-rivals Inter Milan and Napoli, but an even bigger prize awaited them.
The AC Milan "Dream Team" was now making major strides in Europe and they came up against a very strong Steaua Bucharest who had won the Cup just three years previously.
Milan got through to the final by thrashing Real Madrid, while Bucharest got through by thrashing just about everybody. Until the final, they hadn't failed to score at least five goals in a match.
Bucharest were also in the middle of a domestic league run that would see them go an unbelievable 104 matches unbeaten.
Yet they were no match for Milan, as Gullit and Van Basten each got a brace to give Milan the 4-0 win.
A second consecutive European Cup followed the next season as Milan beat Benfica in the final, with Maldini and the rest of the Milan defence once again keeping a clean sheet.
1990 also saw Maldini's second major international tournament with Italy, and his first World Cup. He helped his country to the semi-finals, where Italy lost to Argentina.
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about 1 month ago
I am going to cry myself to sleep for a year when this man retires. He has been my one constant in football, he is the very reason I started watching the game at the age of 5 - always been my favourite player.
You have ponces like C.Ronaldo and people call him a legend???!! Maldini is a legend pure & simple, gentleman on and off the field, never hear a bad word about him.
Il Captaino 3 - next up Christain Maldini followed closely by Daniel Maldini actually Barney type in Daniel Maldini and Seedorf to youtube and check out the video. Daniel is about 5 at most in the video and he produces a class tackle on Seedorf very much a case of like father - like son.
from about 1 month ago
What a legacy they would have. First Cesare Maldini then Paolo. If they can go on to become half the player their dad has, they will be considered great!
about 1 month ago
I'm a Juventus fan and I love this guy. He defines the words "class" and "loyalty" in every aspect. He really is one of the most loyal players you will ever find in the history of football and the day he walks away fans should give a standing ovation together at once, no matter what team you root for.
from about 1 month ago
I don't see how you could dislike him, whatever team you support. He has surely won everyone over now? What do Inter Milan fans think of him do you know?
about 1 month ago
In one phrase.
Maldini is god...
from about 1 month ago
So which one out of Christian and Daniel is gonna be Jesus?
about 1 month ago
thom's
Maldini the greatest.
from about 1 month ago
I would put him just behind Beckenbauer as the second best defender of all time. Not quite the greatest, but pretty darn good!
about 1 month ago
i have't seen beckenbaur's game.but people say that he is legend in defence.
so as far as me paolo is my no1 all time.i'm 22 yrs now,since i stared watching football i've loved only one player thats him. Sergio ramos looks like maldini in early 90's however one difference is ramos plays as RB,Paolo as LB.
i'm sure neither christian or daniel can't do what maldini did with milan & la nazionale.
the one trophy that misses in his cabinet is WC...apart form that he won everything.
for me there is only one maldini & there will be only one...neither ceaser,daniel or chirstian....its only paolo.
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