Not being an @$$ just trying to help. I think he should def. come, and persuade Gianfranco Zola and Paolo Di Canio to come as well!
The problem with doing this with a defender instead of an attacker is that the only benefits you'll really see is in terms of his on the field play and his ability to impart wisdom to younger players. But with a defender, even a great one like Maldini, the "butts in the seats" aspect isn't the same as with an attacking maestro. Ultimately the big crowds would rather see someone who makes things happen than one who prevents things from happening.
Matthaeus was on the Bayern Munich team that won the domestic league and made it to the Champions League Final. I do concede that Matthaeus has proven that he has been more of a headcase than Maldini ever will, but they are both old, and both had a considerable amount of success in Europe in their late 30s.
This is one of those weird situations where he might find things more difficult in MLS than Serie A. Maldini may still be able to do many great things, win footraces with the Justin Mapp, Eddie Johnson and Eddie Gaven types is not one of them. In Serie A with AC Milan (and to a lesser extent with the Azzuri), he doesn't have to. The midfield possession and backline organization (of which he is obviously a key part of) make it so that Maldini doesn't get caught in situations where his age can be exploited. His teammates know their jobs and Maldini sure as hell knows his, and as such he doesn't have to face jailbreaks with 21 year olds running at him all day... ...such would not be the case with the current incarnation of the Metrostars. It would only happen a limited number of times before he started yelling at somebody to do something about that hillbilly from the town in Texas he's never heard of. He'd still be an excellent player, of course, but I could see a situation where he got frustrated with the lack of support he got from his teammates. A guy like Figo could just bust a move whenever he got the ball. A guy like Maldini has teamwork and organization as his calling card (as well as wonderful skills) and as such the lack of quality of his teammates might be more important.
If I understand my redneckology correctly, a hillbilly is from Appalachia. We don't really have hillbillies in Texas. The kid from Nacogdoches (pronounced, "bag o' nachos") may be a redneck, but probably not a hillbilly.
That's just great! Someone else is going to get this unbelievable ageless wonder and we're stuck with an almost 40 year old guy with 11 friggin' fingers! Fire Doug Hamilton!
Ya, di Canio's goal celebrations would really make a ton of new MLS fans in Brooklyn, Skokie, Miami Beach ...
Well, you know that one of the Argies' many long-standing grievances about life is that they're actually a piece of Italy misplaced in South America.
I wonder if we are underestimated the value of someone like Maldini in what they can give to the younger players in the league here? As a teacher.. Maybe .. Maybe not.. Just a thought..
Living in Latin America, I was always told: "Argentinians are Italians who speak Spanish, but think they're English"
How is there any hesitation. As long as his attitude is like Djorkaeff, he'd be the best player in MLS.
Maldini is a class act as well as a world class player he would be awsome at MLS.. But this seems highly UNLIKELY. Maldini is set for another round at serie A this year with the year after most likely being his last one. He has spent 20 years at Milan, and I doubt a move to the US really is in his plans. A world class player but this is MLS wishful thinking... Funny people complain that Maldini is old. But hey if old guys play like him, I'd fill my whold team with guys over 33.. LOL, ahhh Maldini 36 years old, plays like he's 30 and looks no older than his 25th birthday.
I don't think a single person from MLS has commented on this. The speculation comes from an Spanish newspaper article with no quotes from anyone in MLS.
This would be a great idea, unless we can get a much lesser known up and comer from Uruguay instead, as some want.
there is talk among the MLS brass to change the salary stucture so teams can bring in aging but, still effective veterans. ie stars such as beckham, figo, zidane, and maldini. I think this is still necessary and is good for the league.
06/07/05 10:29 Holandês Davids diz sonhar em jogar pelo Flamengo Gravando documentário no Brasil, volante da Inter de Milão revela fascínio pelo Rubro-Negro: http://lancenet.ig.com.br/clubes/FLA/noticias/05-07-06/323910.asp Basically, it just says that he's out of contract...in Rio shooting a documentary.....said he dreams of playing for flamengo.. Let's hope Davids' name comes up in these talks...if he's so desperate for employment that he's claiming to be dreaming of playing for flamengo , then MLS most definitely has a very realistic opportunity of procuring his services.