Paolo Maldini, the Italian footballer no one forgets

• He is an Italian former professional footballer
• He was AC Milan’s football director before being sacked last season
• He attributes AC Milan’s poor performance to a lack of proper coaching and is worried about the current ownership

Paolo Maldini is a one club, one legend player who played for AC Milan as a defender for 25 years. He dedicated his entire playing career to one club and after retirement, he was appointed as a football director for AC Milan. His loyalty for the club is extended to his children who are playing in AC Milan’s youth academy.

He played as a defender for AC Milan and was recognized as a defender of all time due to his defensive prowess. He made his debut for the club when he was sixteen and quickly established himself as a key player.

His father was also a former player at the club and we can confidently conclude that he had so much influence on his son choosing his career path. During his playing years with the club, he won several accolades including four Serie A titles as well as winning the Copa Italia in 2002/03.

Playing alongside iconic defenders, he helped his team achieve success both in Europe and domestically and he will always be remembered for making history with his Serie A appearance record. He also captained the Italy national team and led them to a record-breaking eight years.

WHO IS PAOLO MALDINI?

He is a former Italian professional player who played for AC Milan in his career, about 25 years. His father was a former defender for AC Milan and he was behind his son’s passion for the sport.

Paolo Maldini. Photo/The AC Milan Offside

The 56-year-old joined AC Milan’s academy when he was ten and around the age of sixteen, he made his debut for the first team, where he established himself as a key player for his defensive prowess.

A few years after making his debut, Paolo Maldini lifted his first Serie A title with AC Milan and earned his first call-up to the Italian national team. His leadership qualities made him a captain both for the team and the Italy national team.

He retired from playing professional football at the age of 41 years, holding the record for most appearances in Serie A and most appearances for AC Milan. After a decade of his retirement, he was appointed AC Milan’s technical director of football for four years.

The AC Milan legend was born in Milan on June 26 1968 to a father who is a legendary footballer and manager for AC Milan, and even coached Paolo for both the Italy U21 senior teams.

His playing time was entirely at AC Milan where he played as a defender, and even captained the team and the Italy national team. He is married to Venezuelan model Adriana Fossa and they have two sons together.

His two sons Daniel and Christian play in the youth academy of AC Milan. Beyond football, he is an entrepreneur and co-founded the fashion label “Sweet Year” with his friend and former teammate Christian Vieri.

DID HE PLAY AT ONE CLUB?

His career is based entirely in one club, AC Milan where he played for 25 years as a defender and captain of the team. During his tenure with AC Milan, he acquired several trophies among them:

• Seven Serie A titles
• 5 Champions League titles
• 1 Copa Italia
• 5 Super Copa Italia titles
• 2 Intercontinental Cups
• 5 European/UEFA Super Cups
• 1 FIFA club World Cup

He is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time and he led the AC Milan and Italy national team for many years. Internationally, he represented the Italy team and made 126 appearances for the team.

One love, one legend Paolo Maldini. Photo/Sky Sports

Though he never lifted a trophy for Italy, he reached the World Cup final in 1994 and the Euro finals in 2000. In addition, he captained the Italy national team for eight years.

WHY IS MALDINI AC MILAN’S LEGEND?

The Italian is remembered for several things. He is a one club-legend who dedicated his 25 years playing for AC Milan and during his playing years, he was known as one of the greatest defenders.

During his tenure with Milan, he lifted several trophies including 7 Serie A titles and 5 Champions League titles. His dedication and loyalty for the club is evident as his sons also play at the AC Milan youth academy.