As we approach the dreaded day when all milan fans will go into mass depression that would need a sea of prozac to cure, I thought that we should have a thread dedicated to the greatest defender of all time, our Il Capitano... In fact, I am surprised that we didn't have one already... we do need a thread to reminisce, post videos, photos and even talk about how he has been playing recently... (anyone else feel giddy every time he makes a run down the left flank?!) it sure has been good to see him in his original position for his last year... to start it of, my favorite maldini youtube compilation... [youtube]HTvJpj0D8Xk[/youtube] Paolo Maldini. Bow down to The King.
well one can make a case for it but you have to consider others like Franco Baresi, Gianni Rivera, and Gunner Nordahl.
^^^ this is true... but i have to admit that i was too young when i watched baresi... and never really watched nordahl and rivera... i watched baresi for 3 years and this was before i even reached double digits age wise... but paolo i have watched for like 13 years so its a completely different feeling..
definitely, same here, I have seen Maldini the most as well, and like you I only saw the late stages of Baresi's career and Rivera I've only seen from videos. So for me Maldini is a legend and it's going to be hard reading the Milan roster next season and not seeing "#3- Paolo Maldini"
There is not enough i can say about this man.. he is the reason for me playing calcio.. my whole life I've looked up to him.. playing his position, studying him.. he the reason for me wanting to become a pro and every day i bust my ass just so i can hopefully make it one day... hes not only a legend of a player but a legend of a person.. not a flaw to this mans name.. il Grande Maldini.. Forza il capitano... i love this compilation.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaZ7dyr7aCM
that is from the movie about him.... that is an absolute must watch for all milan fans its amazing....
^^^i believe its called Maldini - Il Film.. my buddy gave my a burnt copy but its only like an hr and half of it.. im trying to find it online.. usually goes for 40 bucks
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BFJ8TQCZ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WPWUM4V3 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CGDUOM30 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HHH1TJUN http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8SSP0VP4 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CY1OW2IH http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L8ZLQM14 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=B648WE47 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K8XPEM61 this is the 9 part download.... i am not sure if this one has subtitiles but the effort would be entirely worth it...
I saw Franco Baresi play in the midfield during the 1984 Summer Olympics and saw him play sweeper at the World Cup final in LA 10 years later. I don't think I've ever seen any defenders as dominant as both Baresi and Maldini were that day in Pasadena. Brazil could do nothing and Romario and Bebeto were just stopped in their tracks turning their heads in shock and amazement at the way those two stole the ball from under them. Baresi was an exceptional defender but he ended up quitting Milan in a simliar year the club is currently enduring. He did leave as a starter in 1997 saving a goal off the line against Cagliari in a losing effort. He was however, two-three years younger than Maldini is. I know Maldini hasn't been playing well and I know he is almost 40 but I can not believe he is actually struggling for the first time. He must be injured and can't play up to his standards becuase I don't care how old he is, he would be a dominat force (when healthy) on any defense. I'd love to see him in the MLS but I guess its a pipe dream. Maldini's 1000th http://mediacenter.gazzetta.it/Medi...1072&idCanale=GolA&idCanaleADV=GolA&navName=2
i dont know about maldini not playing well... i personally have been enjoying his runs down the left flank and i really dont think that he has played badly... i think he has been playing pretty well infact...
I agree. I think he is playing slightly below his standards but he still turns in good performance. We are all just mostly used to him dominating the defensive back line and when he doesn't play up to what is his norm, we are quick to criticize. Because he is not playing every match may have something to do with the fact that his game has dropped a bit but I think it also has to do with the fact that rest of the team not playing well. Maybe they will all pick it up towards the end of the season.
Maldini reaches 1,000-match milestone http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMx0Thoa_jkA82Ov_6jpoqeyQbRw
My favorite player of all time. A few years ago, somebody on this list posted an article that covered his career up to that point, red cards, goals, awards, caps, etc. it was very impressive considering all he did was with Milan and the Azzurri. If anyone can dig that up, or could post a more current list of his accomplisments, please do so.
OFFICIAL GAMES PLAYED BY PAOLO MALDINI WITH MILAN: 861 DEBUT GAME: Udinese-Milan 1-1, January 20, 1985 OFFICIAL GAMES PLAYED BY PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE NAZIONALE: 126 (Record) DEBUT GAME: Jugoslavia-Italia 1-1, 31 Marzo 1988 OFFICIAL GAMES PLAYED BY PAOLO MALDINI WITH ITALY UNDER 21: 12 OFFICIAL GAMES PLAYED BY PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE OLYMPIC TEAM: 1 THE VICTORIES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH MILAN: 7 SCUDETTI - 5 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 1 CLUB WORLD CUP - 2 INTERCONTINENTAL CUPS - 5 EUROPEAN SUPERCUPS - 5 ITALIAN SUPERCUPS - 1 COPPA ITALIA OTHER EXCELLENT FACTS: 7 September 1988: VITOCHIA SOFIA-MILAN 0-2, debut of Maldini in Champions League. 22 March 2003: MILAN-JUVENTUS 2-1, game #500 of Paolo Maldini in Serie A 11 March 2007: INTER-MILAN 2-1, game #600 of Paolo Maldini in Serie A 26 November 2003: AJAX-MILAN 0-1, game #100 of Paolo Maldini in Champions League
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/18/sfneur118.xml&page=1 Article from the Telegraph today on the man himself. Regardless of who's best, it's pretty good company he's keeping. An absolute legend of the game and, for me, the best defender I've ever seen.
^^^ yeah, thanks for the great read. he is one of those rare players who even rival countries and clubs' fans have to respect. 8 european cup/cl finals...unbelievable.
Only 1 match the OLYMPIC TEAM???? I don't understand why Italy won't ever use their stars more for the OLYMPIC games. I know its because they are usually in a Euro Cup year but how can it hurt to play in both tournaments especially if they have to play/train with their clubs?
Congratulations! I bet Captain Maldini will be happy knowing he served as an inspiration for you becoming a professional. I also added Maldini's compliation because I admire him not only as a football player, but also as a human being. He is the man. You said it right "Il Gran Maldini, Forza il Capitano." Keep up your training and wish you all the best. Who Else Can Be a HISTORY MAN with 1,000 Performances than the Great Milan Captain Paolo Maldini?
By the time the Olympics came around Maldini was already a starter for the senior NT. In Italy you either play for one team or the other, not both. It sometimes works the other way. Gilardino wasn't called up to Euro 2004 because he was playing with the Azzurrini at the Euro u21s. The same thing is happening with Giuseppe Rossi now.
Yeah I know its like that in Italy. I just wish it didn't have to be like that. Zamorano played for Chile in 2000 and he was already a full fledged member of the national team. Speaking of the Olympics however, wouldn't it be great if Maldini were allowed to play as one of 3 overage players this summer and then retire? Its a pipe dream I know but it would be great to see the #3 one more time in the azzurro...
^^^ never thought of that... but i must admit, that would be absolutely fantastic... imagine paolo leading italy to the olympics and winning the whole damn thing... how is that for a farewell....
thank you for your wishes.. i will be traveling back to italy in march to try out for frosinone and i do hope i can make it and work my way up from there..my dream is to hopefully be somebodys hero one day as maldini is to me.. Forza Grande Maldini ..