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Paolo Maldini (born June 26, 1968, Milan) is an Italian football player. He
is the son of Cesare Maldini. Paolo Maldini plays as a defender and, despite
being naturally right-footed, predominantly plays the position of left back,
although he sometimes plays at centre back. Throughout his long career, he
has remained a one club man with A.C. Milan.
One of the greatest defenders of all time, in fact at the peak of his career
Maldini was considered by many as the undisputed greatest defender. Well
known for his influential captaincy, ice-cool temperament and flawless
defending.
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OHe is still playing at the very highest level, which is confirmed by
inclusion to the FIFPro World XI in 2005, nomination to the UEFA Champions
League 2004-2005 most valuable defender title, second place in Golden Foot
nominations in 2005, and a top-ten finish in the voting for the 2005 FIFA
World Player of the Year.
Maldini's Serie A debut came on January 20, 1985 against Udinese. Since then.
he has had a glittering career to date, winning many trophies with Milan (as
of 2005, those include seven Serie A titles and four European Cups). Maldini
was also part of AC Milan's undefeated Dream Team in the late 80's to early
90's.
Maldini is Italy's most capped player. However, he never managed to win a
trophy at the international level despite playing in the 1994 World Cup
final and the 2000 European Championship Final. He retired from the national
team after 2002 World Cup finishing his successful career with 126 caps and
7 goals. Maldini also played in the 1990 and 1998 World Cups, Euro 88, and
Euro 96.
Maldini also set two new records in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final by
scoring after only 51 seconds against Liverpool F.C. in Istanbul and also by
being the oldest to score in a Champions League Final. Paolo's father,
Cesare, also captained A.C. Milan in the 1960s, lifting the European Cup in
1963.
There was a public appeal in Italy for Maldini to come out of retirement for
the 2004 European Championship due to the national team's defence problems,
one in particular was Fabio Cannavaro's poor performance. Maldini rejected
the appeal for "personal reasons".
Maldini recently broke Dino Zoff's Serie A appearance record, making his
571st appearance against Treviso F.B.C.. He also recently played his 800th
game in all competitions for Milan. In November 2005, he announced plans to
retire from playing professional football at the end of the 2006/07 season,
however he might re-consider it should he still be able to maintain his
superb defensive skills. His contract with Milan ends in 2008.
Maldini has two sons, Christian and Daniel, with his Venezuelan wife Adriana
Fossa. Christian has signed for Milan's youth team at the age of 9 and is
set to continue the Maldini dynasty at the club. |
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PAOLO MALDINI PICTURES |
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