I've always had more admiration for players who play well until the end of their careers. . Look at Teddy Sheringham who was still a class act when he was 35. Ryan Giggs is now 36 and still playing good football. Ronaldo, while an absolute terror in his prime, never bothered to keep in shape and I therefore have less admiration for him than some. I remember one game where he played something like 10 stepovers, causing the defender to land flat on his ass but I also remember him lumbering about the pitch. Someone brought up Maradona and I feel the same way about him. As great a player as he is, I can't help but remember him for 'condoning' cheating by proclaiming his goal against England was the result of 'the hand of god' and his drug related problems.

In summary, I think that truly great players retire gracefully and respectfully.

I don't have an accurate recollection of his transfer from Inter Milan to Real Madrid but I do remember the Italian team sticking by him through his lengthy recovery, only for him to want to move to Real Madrid. Hmm... thanks, but no thanks. I may be wrong.

Just for the record, I do rate Maldini highly. Surely one of the best defenders of all time, and a living legend. He is the consumate professional if you ask me. Along with Baresi before him, fantastic role models.