as you most probably know, Paolo Maldini is *finally* retiring. The home league game against Roma this coming sunday will be his last in San Siro, while away against Fiorentina on 31 May will be his last ever official game.

- started his career with the AC youth team, and never look back since.
- initially a rightback, Maldini is right-footed.
- league debut : against Udinese, 30/1/1985.
- took over from the legendary Franco Baresi as the Rossoneri captain in 1997.
- been to 8 Champions League Final, and won 5 of them.
- 900 official appearances for AC Milan.


Honours

Winner:
Serie A: 1987-88, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04
Coppa Italia: 2002-03
Supercoppa Italiana: 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004
UEFA Champions League: 1988-89, 1989-90, 1993-94, 2002-03, 2006-07
UEFA Super Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 2007
Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990
FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Runner-up:
Serie A: 1989–90, 1990–91, 2004–05
Coppa Italia: 1989–90, 1997–98
Supercoppa Italiana: 1996, 1999, 2003
UEFA Champions League: 1992–93, 1994–95, 2004–05
UEFA Super Cup: 1993
Intercontinental Cup: 1993, 1994, 2003

National team
FIFA World Cup 1990: 3rd Place
FIFA World Cup 1994: Runner-up
UEFA Euro 1988: 3rd Place
UEFA Euro 2000: Runner-up

Individual
Under-21 European Footballer of the Year: 1989
FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament: 1994
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1996, 2000
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match: 2003
Serie A Defender of the Year: 2004
FIFA 100
UEFA Team of the Year: 2003, 2005
FIFPro World XI: 2005
UEFA Champions League Best Defender: 2007
Italy captain: 1994-2002
Italy all-time caps: 126









1 of the greatest players of all time. Maldini deserved every single praise that you can think of. I cant believe the day is finally coming that there will be no 'Maldini' on the teamsheet for AC.

I wish him all the best, and thank him for all the great memory that he brought to every football lovers.

Grazie Paolo ! Grande il Capitano !!!

This post has been edited by Chrisky: May 21 2009, 10:17 PM

yeah...great player....happy retired Paolo

Fantastic reader of the game. His tackling technique has been immortalized as "the Maldini." Well done to a top player, so many years of service for club and country. Surprised me to read that he won his first Serie A when I was in my mumma's womb.

P/s: Are Italians the only ones who grow to look a lot more charming and good looking the older they are?

and he won his 1st CL even before his now-teammate Pato was born, too.

sadly he never won the world cup with italy,srsly.

Legendary players. Wish that players these days could follow his footsteps. Loyal to a club. One of the rare breeds as well.

i wish we can make a new maldini. he is really one of the legends of modern football.

he is one of the true faithful to rossoneri.

Grazie Paolo! Thanks for the memories. Truly a legend. I hope your son, Christian will be able to continue your legacy at Milan in the #3 shirt.

This post has been edited by plokoon: May 21 2009, 10:46 PM

GREAT PLAYER!!
A LEGEND..

My favorite player, because of him I`m wearing number 3 jersey from my school days, until now in futsal, and even i pick number 3 for my race bike the last time I race.

Yeah, the only dissappointment as Maldini fan is he never ever won any International trophies with Italy...be it EURO or World Cup..

I still remember how Ang Jung Hwan (is it him?) block Maldini from jumping with his arm, so that he can head the ball without challenge... and effectively knock Italy out of the 2002 World Cup...

I love him sooo much... And its a shame he decide not to come back from retirement to compete in World Cup 2006...and even Italy went on to win it, I never watch even one Italy match...coz he`s not in the team...

When player like Del Piero, Totti, Figo, Zidane, all got world wide praise and honour, the down to earth Maldini stay low, with all his almost perfect, almost no mistake defending, even Vidic will need to strive and work hard to reach Maldini level. Maldini partnership with Nesta definitely the best!

Addio Paolo Maldini!

Be aware of Maldini JR...he`s coming up the rank...(the last time I check la..)

Vidic is the new Maldini.. Ekekeke

He's the main reason why I started playing football or kicking tennis ball as a left/centre back during school years ago...

The stallion and also the rock of Italian defence!

another one-club-player. my hero. gonna get his jersey this summer.

he doesn't have the money to hire stylist consultant till he earn big buck
thus he's good looking at older age

from his younger days as Left Back till now Central Defender, he is still playing top football at the age close 40.

Tell me which player can play top flight football till near 40s like Maldini?

He is always in my best eleven if you ask me to pick a dream team.

Good luck for your future as coach...

Farewell to a legend. He is one of the best defender in my legend list

not only legend list...if want to compete with current best defenders, he is still my #1 pick.

Been there in the 80's, been there in the 90's and been there this millennium. What a legend.

TQ Chrisky for opening the farewell thread....

grazie Paolo Maldini

GTG

goodbye maldini.... always one of my favourite defender