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

one of my favourite player n legend....his record is very impressive....sadly he never has chance to win the world cup...n italy win the world cup after he retired from national squad...btw he is the one of the best player ever lived...

the best example for a loyal player
i think his regret is unable to lift up World Cup trophy despite his achievement in AC Milan

whoa..finally retired eh?gone another one of the greatest player in the beautiful game.although i didn't watch Milan's match but his record says it all.

to a strong and steady defender who never lets his goalkeeper in danger...
Good Bye Paolo~

its gonna be sad to see him finally leave. but damn, he is a fantastic player and a legend!

As it stands now, that is an insult wor, comparing Vidic to Maldini.

Truly Legend.

our san siro hero.. forza maldini

Maldini achievement is very the same to man united ryan giggs...

has lotsa glory from the club perspective but failed miserably at international level...

still is one of the great defender ever produced by italy....baresi one of the best defender must be proud of him too when he pass him the armband of italy....

Salute.....Maldini.... orz

a good read :

Inter - Milan : A Paolo Maldini Tribute Following His Last Derby Della Madonnina

as point out in the article, a banner by the Inter fans :



"For 20 years our opponent, but in life always loyal."

Can't say he had a miserable international career. 8 appearances in UCL final, appeared in the Final match of 4 tournaments, his record hardly suggests that his international career was awful. In fact, it is a record that many players in the world, current and future, will envy on. Unthinkable achievement in modern days.

Grazie Paolo!

Wow...im really amazed that their most bitter of rivals respects him that much as well.

I wonder if it wud be the same in England ... LOL

But truly truly a legend ... no ... more than a legend .. a demi-god on the field and in the hearts

in milan squad also until last season i think
Costacurta

the "Maldini" by his son - Daniel Maldini

This post has been edited by bobotorix: May 22 2009, 01:05 PM

Incomparable. One word describes this loyal servant to Milan.

Thanks Paolo for all the unforgettable memories with Milan, all the best for whatever awaits you in the future.

Maldini = legend!

One question, will AC Milan retire his #3 jersey number also?

Yes if I m not mistaken and #3 will available again if his son christian can make it to 1st team.

not to mention Cesare Maldini, father of Paolo Maldini
they should give a respect of a loyal servant of AC Milan, 3 generation playing for AC Milan, is such a rare case we can have in this football world

Solid, strong, calm, composed... everything U'd want in a defender. Whenever I'm putting a team for the FIFA or FM, he's gonna be the 1st player I look for... Happy retiring...

sadly the league is going to miss a truly loyal captain..
it was one of the very few i knew since i watched soccer... he was why i supported Italy since young.

Farewell Maldini, the #3 always in Ac Milan!

Billy is another legend, juz that he didnt quite able to perform in the highest level anymore during the later stage of his colorful career.

no disrespect to him but Maldini is in a whole new level.


thats right. lets hope we'll see that day soon enough.


btw a photo of him with his family, juz to show u how nice he can be :




This post has been edited by Chrisky: May 22 2009, 02:39 PM

u will always be remembered
Captain Paolo Maldini

One of the best defenders to ever grace the footballing world.

GRAZIE MALDINI!!!

A one club man. Like Giggsy. Giggsy has better chest hair though.

Giggsy>Maldini

Giggsy's losing quite a bit on his top though. God must love the Italians.

my next top defender after Tony Adams..bye2 Maldini

L E G E N D !!!
farewell Maldini..Youll Never Walk Alone

My favourite player of all time. He is the one that make me so addicted to football.

If anyone here offering a BULK for 1985 AC Milan jersey, I sure brought it. Just for collection.

And, thanks a lot Chrisky for creating this thread.

This post has been edited by thteong82: May 23 2009, 05:12 PM

Thank you for all the football's great moments.

We have seen alot of World Class centre-backs

- Man Utd fans can claim they have Vidic, Ferdinand, Stam
- Chelsea can claim they have Terry
- Barcelona with Puyol

But Maldini is more than just World Class in terms of ability, but in character as well. It will be a sad day for all of us whom have been following him since the 90s till now.

finale salute for Maldini!!!
always be remember as a great player...

from what i saw video from the 1st post, he also has dribbling ability...
and score goal from with his foot... not only header....
something that vidic doesn't have....


one of the best defenders in the world....

after retired what will he do??
will he be a coach??
i think with exprience that he have, he can be a great coach..

I salute u, Paolo.
One of the greatest player to graced the red and black stripe kit for AC Milan and blue for Italy. Truely a legend. Too bad he didn't win anything with Italy.

U will be cherish as the best defender and leader in my heart.

Hail Paolo Maldini.



This post has been edited by ervinliew86: May 24 2009, 05:14 PM

ZOMG...Last home game! El Capitano! You are the best! Forza Milan! Forza El Capitano! So many great memories even all the way from my schooling days of watching El Capitano play. I even emulated him in the way i played and became a defender...all because of Maldini...The greatest defender in the World!

That's why Maldini can also play as LB.

please provide streaming links for milan match later...goint to watch it thnx

fantastic player. still playing at the age of 40...

Maldini have his own class cant compare with others..good tackling dribling pace speed cross LEGEND

there's a 'Grazie Maldini' t-shirt that on sales in subside now.



Link


not cheap as its 17 pound, but very good for collection. i'm considering getting 1.

---

Added on May 24, 2009, 8:23 pmi'll watch it n post the link later in the Roma thread when i found 1.

This post has been edited by Chrisky: May 24 2009, 08:23 PM

Farewell for the true football legend Paolo Maldini. :salute:

How many year old is Christian Maldini again?

This post has been edited by maxizanc: May 24 2009, 08:24 PM

This is from the original video. Maldini Il Film.

was born in milan at June 26, 1968. (age 40)

if u're replying to maxizanc, he means Christian, not Paolo.

Chrisitian was born on June 14, 1996, so he's almost 13 now.

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=39768&part=sports

pick any link that works for u.

beautiful scene... our boys are wearing a 'Grazie Paolo' shirt.

No worry Maldini Family CONTINUE !!

i cant get a link that works..which one works for u christy

i'm using the TVU.

try this 1 :

http://www.atdhe.net/7289/watch-ac-milan-vs-as-roma

wat happen to justin tv man...all dead....i want to see paolo maldini!!

:'(

or this 1 :

http://www.channelsurfing.net/

scroll down n u'll see a link. didnt test that 1 out yet so i dont know is it working.

Thanks man, yeah i knew Paolo is 40

Hope Christian can follow his father legacy. Talented and cute kid. Like father like son.

Thanks a lot of the link. Just place order.

wat a lol pato....nice pass by beckham..

are they wearing the new kit?

weid their kit looks different..there are some words under the badge....

---

Added on May 24, 2009, 9:40 pmthere are something on the right side of the chest also...not sure which jersey is that...

This post has been edited by yfchin2: May 24 2009, 09:40 PM

sorry....

Hopefully Italy FA says OK with Marcelo Lippi suggestion to organize a testimonial match for Maldini in Italy shirt.

P/S : Maldini ask all the Milan teammate don't throw him off air (celebration).

This post has been edited by thteong82: May 24 2009, 11:51 PM

Maldini.. A true legend.. hopefully his son follow his father footstep..

i have big respect 4 this loyal milano servant maldini...also the only man left today that is part of the milan last back 2 back european title glory in 1988/89 and 1989/90...that is more than 20 years ardy after today...sorta the italian version of giggsy based on the club loyalty...rest of the world shall miss the living legend happy retirement dude

Why there is some fans still disrespect Maldini after all his contribution?

There is a large banner saying Baresi is the only true captain.

P/S : The only player that want a win for Maldini last match in San Siro is Ronaldinho.

This post has been edited by thteong82: May 25 2009, 12:35 AM

someone know where i can download AC milan game's?

wrong

maldini-baresi-constacurta-tassotti was the best...probably of all time..

i cant remember baresi in his era, but i think maldini is more legend than baresi. it is very touching seeing him retire. he always the best defender of all time. n loyal. i can see kaka at his place if kaka still play for milan until he retire.

Paolo hav some grudges with some Ultras back a few years ago. I dont know the full story, but those so-called fans are juz a bunch of disgrace. Paolo gave 24 years of his life for the club n this is what he got for his laz home match ? absolutely disgraceful, shame on them.

Maldini's lap of honour @ San Siro for 1 last time :



i dont know man, but i can feel like he wasn't really happy, could be pissed at those ultras.

Could possible because of

1) Ultras
2) Couldn't win the his last San Siro match
3) Couldn't win silverware on his last season.

god bless him and his future.. one of the most composed centre backs ever to hit football..

If Sam still in Bolton sure he will sign Maldini

bye bye maldini..

i can see a sadness behind his eyes. even when the reporter asking for interview, he said no and rush to the tunnel.. Ultras, ure so disrespectful!!

i cried seeing him hug totti after milan's defeat to roma..

he should replace sepp blatter. that's the highest compliment football world can give to him, to provide a space for him to contribute to world football!

Do u know his father also milani, he was italian coach once during world cup. Can't imagine 2 generation serving the club so well.

got his son in academy! 3 generations on a trot!

if you are talking about career of players in italy well into the late 30's, i can come up with 2 names: ciro ferrara, pietro vierchowod but these 2 are nowhere near maldini's level

and comparing maldini with vidic? you must be kidding........

40 years of age, and still battling it out with vucinic, menez and totti in the last game at san siro.......but there was one moment when he bent down holding his knees......he must have felt his age then......what a sad picture........

tears nearly fell from my eyes when he hugged totti and on the lap of honor.......never mind the curva suds.....its their right to have their own hero, another milan legend, baresi.........

but for everyone here in this thread, maldini is all that matters...........

grazie and farewell paolo maldini...........

Not to mention there was a kind gesture when Roma players came out aftrer the game with Maldini dedicated shirts despite being fierce rivals. These are the times when i feel humility comes on top of football rivalry.

I must say those ultras are not what you call die hard fans anymore. They are fanatical and living in their own footballing world. To begin with, its your own club captain who's served them the past 24 years and to be booed in your last game, thats just a disgrace. Even rival fans would have applauded Maldini.

Until today, I still feel sad over all the Milan ultras treatment towards Maldini.

I support Maldini since the first time I watch football. (World Cup 1994). I just couldn't imagine the legend is being treat like this over the "so called fans" of Milan.

Even the great Baresi also said Paolo Maldini Did Not Deserve To Be Insulted by Milan Ultras.

ade sesiapa yg boleh bg tgk dgn dkt patch kat dada dia yg ada no 3 x?ape tu ek?

Its a personalized "MALDINI 3" and printed with patch "Tre solo per te" (Three Only For You)