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Why is Paolo Maldini a Role Model to many young footballers in the world?
A defender is a part of the team. He plays a massive role to defend the team from goals touching his team's net. Most of the effort goes to the defender because the defender is the one whom is capable of stopping the opposing strikers from deadly strikes. The defender stands in front of the goalkeeper. There are many types of defenders; sweepers, side backs and center backs.
This research is about the best defender in the world, a living legend who is still addicted to the game. A player that dedicated his life to his club and country. He has been unlucky in the national side, not winning any trophies; then again, he broke many records.
Paolo Maldini has grown up as the son of A.C. Milan's and Italy's Cesare Maldini. The player who coached Italy and played for A.C. Milan and won the club's most prestigious trophy for clubs, the mother of all European trophies; UEFA Champions League. He led the team to win their first European glory in 1963.
We might not exaggerate if we say Paolo Maldini is considered as the best defender in the world. Why not if he is one of the students of the popular Italian school which is known as Catenaccio . He is also a graduate of the blue brigade, which is the most popular for a spectacular powerful defense, the Italian National team that is known as Azzuri . After the end of the 2002 Football Mundial, FIFA World Cup 2002 hosted in both Korea and Japan, this living legend announced retirement from the Italian National side and has decided to focus his career only in his first and last club, which he is committed to, A.C. Milan.
This is a summary of Paolo Maldini's career so far:
Football was his addiction, his best friend. When Paolo Maldini was studying his elementary studies in Milano, in the middle of the seventies, he used to be excited when the bell rang, announcing recess. He used to call some of his friends and ask them to pet the ball with their legs. Their footballs were made of cardboard or a small bag filled with cloth. However, in one of the days the school administration had given them the opportunity to play with it, he was so excited that he took the football and started to pet it with his feet, his sister, grabbed her camera and took a picture of him hugging the football and gave the picture to their father, Cesare.
After having dinner, The Maldini family met and there were many family members, Paolo's sister took the opportunity and got the picture she took and handed it to her father who stared at the picture too long, shook his head with admiration and said: You are talented. His mother replied: Isn't the boy in the picture identical to his father? He knows how to play with a football just like you. By that time, Cesare was the coach of A.C. Milan. Cesare did not hesitate and decided to take his talented son with him to the place were the club was based, the headquarters of A.C. Milan. When they reached the headquarters, Cesare immediately asked the youth team's supervisor to put his son's name on the list, ordered him to make a very harsh competition on choosing new players and to only choose the best and not to choose his son because he is Cesare's son, he told him if he was not worthy then kick him out of the starting squad, he also ordered him not to hide his son's failure if he fails. Nevertheless, Paolo hit the numbers, surprised all, exceeded all expectations and amazed all. The player continued on playing day by day which was what mad everyone amazed by him. That's when he became a Rossonero
After that he grew older in Milano; Paolo Maldini finally played his debut match with A.C. Milan in the Italian first division league, the Italian Serie A with A.C. Milan at the 11th of January 1985. The match was against Udinese at the Fruilli Stadium at the city of Udine, the match ended 1-1, a positive draw. By that time, Nils Liedholme was coaching the side. He talked to Paolo and asked him: "Which position would you prefer to play?" He replied: "Defense, at the right side" but that side was occupied, by Mauro Tassoti . Liedholme put him on the left flank (Defense, Left side). Days, months and years passed by, and he is now a "Dean" in defense. As a symbol to look up to and as a role model for whoever wants to challenge him to be a legendary defender.
After all that, The Under-20 Italian team coach called him to join the team to participate in a friendly match against Yugoslavia, which also ended with a positive 1-1 draw. As he played a lot for the Italian National team, he played under the management of many coaches such as Unzo Berzonni, Arrigo Sacchi , Dino Zoff and finally Giovanni Trapatoni. Paolo Maldini always made it to the starting-eleven, and if not that is due to suspension or injury, and that is for each and every match he played for the national team, holding the captain armband. Maldini played 126 matches for Italy, breaking Dino Zoff's (see footnote 4 on this page) record of 120 matches for the Italian National team. Paolo broke records Europe at that time but the French provided bad luck to him this time. Finally, losing the quarterfinals against co-hosts South Korea in World Cup 2002, which was based in Korea and Japan.
Last fall, as Italy were preparing for Euro-2004, which was hosted in Portugal, Paolo Maldini officially retired from national football, after many huge and tiring tries from Giovanni Trapatoni who was head coach of Italy at that time, but there was no use. The current Italian coach Marcello Lippi has tried to convince Paolo to come back to the Azzuri in the last few days. However, he failed and said we have to respect Paolo's decision. Paolo Maldini made it clear in the past few days that he does not want to join the national team and play for his team when he is not at his best. He insisted to focus on A.C. Milan and say good-bye to the national team.
Paolo Maldni was born in Milano at the 26th of June 1968. His position is Left back in defense. He played and only plays for one club: A.C. Milan. As he played 800 matches with the club, winning six trophies world-wife and two local trophies. He won three super cups, played more than 100 matches in European Competitions and was crowned as UEFA Champions league winner for four times with his club A.C. Milan, two in the older version, and two in the newer version.
Paolo Maldini broke many records, as he now is marking his name to be followed and over-taken by other footballers in Italy and Europe. As he broke Dino Zoff's appearances with the Italian National team with a number of 126 appearances and breaking Zoff's number of appearances in the Italian premier league recently over-taking Zoff's 571 appearances. Another record to be broken is his two decades of playing football with only one club, A.C. Milan
Paolo Maldini started playing professional football at the tender age of sixteen. He played a crucial part of the worlds best defense along with other Italian greats such as; Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassoti.
Paolo Maldini was thrown in at the deep end in the 1994 UEFA Champions league final when Milan had the world's best defender and Captain Franco Baresi suspended along with Alessandro Costacurta. Maldini moved in to Center back and gave an immaculate performance which lead to Milan's victory over Barcelona 4-0 when everyone expected Barcelona to win. Almost a month later and he played in the World Cup final against Brazil, hosted in Atlanta in the United States of America. He did a super job throughout the tournament as Baresi got injured in the first game of the campaign and did not come back until the final. Romario who was the best striker at that time fired blanks in both games they played.
Luck did not smile back for Maldini through all the years he played for the national team; he did not win any continental trophy or a world wide based trophy. He lost the 1990 World Cup by losing in the Semi-Final against Argentine on Penalty shootouts. Lost the final against Brazil in 1994. In 1998, they were kicked out of the quarterfinals . However at the final of Euro 2000 which was held in both Belgium and the Netherlands he was about to be crowned as champion of Europe.
Paolo Maldini lifted Milan's record of 6 European cups (UEFA Champions League winners) in Manchester on the account of Juventus at Manchester, forty years after that his father Cesare lifted the same cup in Wembley. That is unique in football. but facing bad luck, which he started to get used to by that time.
At may the 25th at the year 2005 Paolo Maldini scored the fastest goal in the UEFA Champions league Final history after 57-seconds of kick-off. This may be expected from a striker. However, what makes it greater; a defender scored the goal. When things like that happen then you have this feeling that maybe this could be his night after all.
Paolo Maldini was the first player to be introduced into the "Champions of Europe" Hall of Fame by the governing body of football, UEFA. Two decades of sweat and blood for Milan. Respected worldwide and admired by thousands.
It is known that Paolo Maldini is the most unlucky player at International Level. He has had his fare share of heartbreak. 1990 semis, 1994 Final, 1998 Quarter-Finals, Euro-2000 final and 2002 World Cup Quarter-Final.
As a record set for himself to break, Paolo Maldini appeared on his 800th match for A.C. Milan at September the 18th 2005 (recently) and is focusing on playing more and more. He said; "I hope to continue on playing for this lovely club until I reach the 1000th match for me with this club or more".
Recently, Paolo Maldini has broken Dino Zoff's record in the Italian league with 571 appearances. He did that on Sunday the 25th of September 2005.
I would also like to add that Paolo Maldini has never tackled any players a dirty tackle. He played against many football greats such as Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta, Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri and many others, yet he has never dirty tackled anyone on purpose.
It is almost rare to see a player dedicating his life to one club only, wearing the same colors fore more than twenty years. Most footballers in the world care only about playing football for money; "In our days, we used to play for the love of the game. This generation plays for money, cars and women. Thinking that money is everything" This was said by Zico . Many players betrayed their fans by leaving a club to its city rivals, country rivals or continental rivals. Paolo Maldini never changed his club. He wore the same red and black jersey each season for more than twenty seasons for his one and only club, A.C. Milan. He played 800 matches for his club. He has been captain for ten years, being a successor of Franco Baresi in captaincy.
Many players show no respect to their clubs and fans, and go for money and fame, an example is Luis Figo who betrayed his former Club Barcelona to Real Madrid after all club officials, players and fans begging him to stay but unfortunately left to Real Madrid, continuing the all-star team with no addition to their trophy cabinet until now since 2002. However, Maldini never changed his club. Even sometimes, the coach takes his opinion on tactics for each game.
At first, Paolo Maldini was nicknamed the next Cesare, then the next Facchetti and then he built it all up to be himself. For people to keep him as their role model or idol. For others to be called: The Next Maldini. Let us hope the giants breed more of other to be Maldini's. As now, Paolo Maldini's son Christian plays for the youth team for A.C. Milan. Best wishes to him and may we all see him lift the prestigious European trophy as his father and grandfather did.
Paolo Maldini is loved by all of his fans and by many football fans. He is considered an Idol in Milano. The fans call him Cuore di Drago and Cuore di Milano. Which mean: Heart of the Dragon and Heart of Milan.
Paolo Maldini is a role model to many footballers and people in the world, that is because of his gratitude, sacrifice, passion towards the game and people. Paolo is the eternal minister of defence in this wonderful game. He has showed many various reasons to be a legend. Paolo Maldini is one of a kind, that is why he is my role model.
Here are some quotes said by legends about Paolo Maldini:
"Paolo Maldini is unique; he is one who deserves to break my record of matches at the Italian League and the Italian National team. He is a great player and is the best defender in the world. Has his own unique touches and control"-Dino Zoff said this as Maldini was getting closer to his record
"He is the type of player that deserves to win all awards"-Ronaldinho , when he was asked to vote for best defender in Europe for the 2004/2005 season
"I still get goose bumps when I see Paolo Maldini playing, as I also got goose bumps when I saw him training today, Italy should be proud of him"-Diego Armando Maradona at the champions league final 2004/2005. Milan vs. Liverpool.
"Maldini is not a symbol of Milan. Maldini is Milan itself"-Adriano Galliani . Galliani said this when Maldini continued 20 years at his club A.C. Milan.
"What more can one say about Paolo Maldini? To play for 20 years with the same side is remarkable and I'm not sure it'll ever happen again in this sport. He has a contract until 2007, but I'd like to negotiate for another year. We'll retire his Number 3 jersey when he retires, but keep it in storage for when his son grows up."-Adriano Galliani
This is what Roberto Baggio said when an Italian newspaper, La Gazzeta dello Sport asked him about the European footballer of the year award: 'I have been asked this question for the last three and I have always said one name: Paolo Maldini. He has expressed everything in his career: seriousness, intelligence, victories and everything that he does that sets an example, Paolo should get it for these things.'
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This post has been edited by penew: May 11 2007, 02:43 PM
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