Petition for Maldini to play on Feb 10 Italy vs Brazil.

[TheGrimSweeper]

Although it's just an internet petition I still think it would be an awesome idea to send off one of the most legendary players in the game.

Check it out.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/01/28/1081041/join-goalcoms-campaign-for-paolo-maldini-to-play-against-brazil

[Big Soccer Member]

A money spinning friendly against the Harlem Globetrotters, a few months before he is due to retire, in a foreign country is a fitting send off for one of the best defensive players ever? I think not.

[Auriaprottu]

a money spinning friendly against the Celtics and Lakers rolled into one, a few months before he is due to retire, in a foreign country is a fitting send off for one of the best defensive players ever? I think not.

FYP

And he deserves this honor, whether you think he does or not.

[cmedina1983]

Hahahah, ahhh Italians. You can do anything these days, even buy a World Cup.

[Big Soccer Member]

I was actually suggesting that it was not an honour at all. Of course he deserves something, he's Paulo Maldini ffs.

[DaveyGorgeous]

Hahahah, ahhh Italians. You can do anything these days, even buy a World Cup.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Take your bashing elsewhere.

[cmedina1983]

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Take your bashing elsewhere.

I say what I mean and I mean what I say, to quote a certain elephant.

[DaveyGorgeous]

I say what I mean and I mean what I say, to quote a certain elephant.

Wow, you're a clever one.

[Auriaprottu]

I was actually suggesting that it was not an honour at all.

Yeah. Well, that's even dodgier than your original post. Of course it's an honor, and Maldini should be proud to accept it.

Of course he deserves something, he's Paulo Maldini ffs.

Actually, he's Paolo Maldini, but you're already working with a short-yardage playbook, so we'll let it slide. Were he a bit less of a legend, he'd end up playing against three-time champ Germany or one-time champ England. Success on the pitch is the measure of all things football. It is earned, rather than bestowed as a birthright.

Go work hard.

[TheGrimSweeper]

Hahahah, ahhh Italians. You can do anything these days, even buy a World Cup.

"Australian National Team Supporter"

well that says it all. It was 3 years ago get over yourself.

[That Phat Hat]

Yeah. Well, that's even dodgier than your original post. Of course it's an honor, and Maldini should be proud to accept it.I'm not getting how a token call-up when he clearly is not a choice based on merit or potential is an honor. Well, I do get it, it seems patronizing.

What's wrong with an old fashioned testimonial?
Success on the pitch is the measure of all things football. It is earned, rather than bestowed as a birthright.That's what I'm saying.

[Auriaprottu]

I'm not getting how a token call-up when he clearly is not a choice based on merit or potential is an honor. Well, I do get it, it seems patronizing.

I don't see it that way at all. This is not a qualifier for anything. It's a friendly between the most successful national team in history and the closest thing to it. If it were a match that would count towards something for either Brasil or Italy, I'd agree.

What's wrong with an old fashioned testimonial?

Nothing. I'm sure he'll get one of those as well. But he won't get this particular opportunity again. If he wants it or isn't opposed to it, I'm certainly willing to support it.

That's what I'm saying.

It's a friendly. I think Paolo Maldini's done quite enough to deserve this.

[That Phat Hat]

I don't see it that way at all. This is not a qualifier for anything. It's a friendly between the most successful national team in history and the closest thing to it. If it were a match that would count towards something for either Brasil or Italy, I'd agree. While international friendlies are, to a large extent, big paydays for federations, they are still a crucial opportunity for coaches to get a look at players ahead of World Cup qualifiers.
But he won't get this particular opportunity again. If he wants it or isn't opposed to it, I'm certainly willing to support it.And that's a big if. We're assuming he'd want to give up one of the few weeks out of the season where he has a light workload, and can spend more time with the family and let injuries heal, and attend camp where he's a token call up among a a group o guys who are fighting for a place on the team.

I don't claim to be able to read his mind, but I'm not sure that's something a 40-something player who retired from the national team years ago would be thrilled about.

Also, am I actually taking a thread about an online petition seriously?

[Auriaprottu]

While international friendlies are, to a large extent, big paydays for federations, they are still a crucial opportunity for coaches to get a look at players ahead of World Cup qualifiers.

Fair enough. But I doubt that one match with Maldini in for what will almost certainly not be the full 90 is going to crush any young player's chances.

And that's a big if. We're assuming he'd want to give up one of the few weeks out of the season where he has a light workload, and can spend more time with the family and let injuries heal, and attend camp where he's a token call up among a a group o guys who are fighting for a place on the team.

I don't claim to be able to read his mind, but I'm not sure that's something a 40-something player who retired from the national team years ago would be thrilled about.

He might not care one way or the other. And, as Paolo Maldini, he's earned that right as well, IMO.

Side topic: To put as many years as he put into the Azzurri and then opt out of the 2006 Cup only to see them win had to be as painful as it was great for him as an Italian.

Also, am I actually taking a thread about an online petition seriously?

You may be. I'm taking it as it is- a discussion about an offer we think should or should not be made to Maldini. The online petition isn't going to accomplish anything, but nothing else we talk about on this site has any impact on the Game, so why not hash it out?

[pramos]

Not a bad idea...he was an outstading defender one of the best of all times...as well as the fact of all the years he gave his service to the same club..

[celito]

Not a bad idea, but a good-bye game for Maldini should be in Italy at the San Siro ... not in England.

[Clinical Striker redded]

He's utter shit and has been for years now.