by Chris Nee
“Thank you, Skipper. On the pitch you were an infinite champion, but you failed to show respect towards those who made you rich.” The Curva Sud’s final farewell to one of the greatest defenders Italian football has ever produced was an unedifying insult from AC Milan’s ultras and one that helped to expose the fact that the only way to truly get them onside is to routinely kiss their arses.
Franco Baresi, whose name was chanted during the unveiling of another banner stating that “There is only one captain”, was as good a central defender as I’ve seen in my lifetime and the preferred icon of the ultras. But me? I’ll take the number 3. My favourite footballer, give or take the occasional Maradonian flirtation and my huge admiration for Paul McGrath, is Paolo Maldini.
Let’s get the facts out of the way early. Maldini, the son of Cesare, 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.
This is not a player who played until 40 on his last footballing legs. Almost until the end, Maldini was at the very top of the world game, an incredible testament to his wonderful athleticism and the famous Milan Lab. But the thing about great players – genuine, best-of-the-best great players – is that their achievements are matched by an aura, some non-statistical story of class, like Bobby Moore, or freakishness, like Diego Maradona. Even then, world class players are ten a penny.
Favourites are different, and Maldini qualifies emphatically for such elevated status. He was the ultimate one-club man from the ultimate one-club family. Paolo’s father, Cesare, won four Scudetti and one European Cup with Milan. His sons are both in Milan’s youth system. Paolo never played for another club despite being one of the best players in the world for most of his career. How often do the greatest players today not circulate between Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Milan and Inter? Those who stay loyal are rightly revered and Maldini is their king. His number three shirt, retired at the same time as its long-term wearer, will be brought out of retirement should Christian or Daniel make the Rossoneri first team.
As a player, the best word with which to sum up Maldini is ‘elegance’. He had everything one could ask of a ball-playing defender. His positioning and reading of the game were second to none and his passing marked out a sophisticated full-back who was years ahead of the position’s development. Although it would be a stretch to describe him as an attacking full-back in any sense, Maldini’s cultured style and inimitable swagger on the ball meant that he appeared as comfortable in the opposition’s half as his own. Given his outstanding quality and clear natural ability, Maldini arguably could be disappointed with his goal return despite his position of choice. But at the tasks he got paid for, he was probably the best of his generation.
Here’s the over-emotional, gloating personal involvement bit. What would you do if, by some miracle, you ended up as the proud new owner of a pair of football boots that had been worn by your favourite player? Stick them in a glass display cabinet? Find some way to get them signed? Punch anyone who touched them? After Maldini’s appearance in a TV advertisement for a well-known sportswear manufacturer, that’s exactly what happened to me. And I’ll tell you this much: I got more joy and pleasure from playing in those boots until they fell apart, knowing whose feet had been in them immediately before mine, than I would ever have taken from showing them off in pristine condition.
That is what being a favourite means. It also means that visitors to my flat are greeted in the living room not by a picture of Maradona, McGrath, Cowans or Mortimer, but one of Maldini in the famous red and black stripes of Milan. A wonderful player, a dignified man and a true captain.
Read more from Chris on his excellent blog, Two Footed Tackle, listen to his informative weekly podcast and follow him on Twitter @twofootedtackle.
The best defender of his generation and a model pro.
So far we have Maldini, Zola, Baggio & Del Piero… Lets face it if their was a favourite football show then Football Italia would be up there.
Class personified and the quintessence of loyalty. He was humble too and respectful; the Roberto Baggio of defending. My only pride is he played during my lifetime.
Maldini was probably one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen but to say that his performances were top class up until he was 40 is wrong. Unfortunately we all lose it in the end and Maldini was no different (he was still better most of the Milan defence when he retired, mind.)
Excuse me sir, but Maldini lifted the CL as captain of a very strong Milan team in 2007 at the age of 38. He did not come on for the last 5 minutes or anything of that sort, in fact he had his starting position guarenteed because when Maldini was on the pitch, the team just functioned calmer and smoother.
Oh captain, my captain!
A true great can be seen in the way he is admired and honoured by his peers.
And what greater honour than to be devoted a Champions League triumph by a rival team!
Only ten days after the disgraced Milan farewell, Pep Guardiola devoted Barca’s win against Man Utd to his majesty king Paolo!
It took me awhile to wonder what the name was of that one defender I kept seeing who was always in the right place at the right time, who could telepathically read every play, whose feet and legs elegantly told the ball where to go. But once I learned his name, and learned about his humility and grace, he became my favorite player forever: Paolo Maldini!
I totally agree. A true aristocrat of Calcio, a persone above a player, a man who enjoyed the field, and find in their opponents not enemies, but adversaries, and treated them with implacable class. I miss him a lot as captain of Milan, and as the joy it was to see every sunday such a profesional player
I love this player so much. Maldini taught me many things, I learned to play with 100 concentration all the time, to give my best for the cause of the team, to avoid the spotlight and give gratitude to everyone who helps the foundation to function, my playing style is based on Maldini, I avoid physical contact in favor of intercepting the ball and forcing the opponent to move the way he does not want to, Maldini was a master of this, he is the only defender who can pull of ‘footwork skills’ on an insurging attacker, and I loved it when the crowd went oleeeee…. But more importantly, Maldini taught me how to be a man, he seems to always give the perfect response to the most uneasy situation. I was in San Siro for his farewell game vs Roma, I was asking howcome no one is singing? It was such an insult to a man who symbolizes the club, I did not see the banner since I was sitting under it but all Maldini did was lift up his thumb and say that is ok, I know you represent only a small faction of the true fans. I will never forgive the ultras for what they did that day, they are so cruel to hold a grudge for so long and express it on the day of this legend’s departure. I wish Maldini can work in the FIGC and help ‘fix’ the issue of ultras and other corrupt issues that are tarnishing the beauty of Italian football.
oh my IDOLLL
)0 greatttt MALDINI
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an example to follow
an example for all you generations
an example for all youths of AC MILAN/italia
an example for all defenderss
love himmm … great great great from the beggining to the end