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. His clean tackling and ability to read the game makes him one of the best defenders in modern football. He 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.

Biography

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.

Honours

• Italian Championship : 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004.
• European Champions' Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003.
• European Supercup: 1989, 1990, 1995.
• World Club Cup: 1989, 1990.
• FIFA World Cup ITALIA 90: Third place.
• FIFA World Cup USA 94: Runner-up.
• WORLD SOCCER's World Player of the Year: 1994.
• FIFA 100 (125 greatest living players, as selected by Pelé): 2004

Maldini was the first defender to win the World Soccer's World Player of the Year Award, which puts him in the same class of Michel Platini, Paolo Rossi, and Zico. On receiving his award, Maldini said: "It's a great honour for me to know that so many people consider me so highly. It's a particular matter of pride because defenders generally receive so much less attention from fans and the media than goal scorers. We are more in the engine room rather than taking the glory.

"I must admit that, for me, 1994 was the peak of my career so far. For any player to win the Champions Cup or to play in the World Cup Final would be enormous single matter of pride...but I was fortunate enough to be able to experience both those pinnacles of the game within a matter of weeks. Of course, whatever success I may have achieved is not merely down to my own credit. There are other people and influences on my career it would be only fair to acknowledge. Everyone always asks me about my father, Cesare, who captained Milan to their first Champions Cup victory in 1963 and is now our national under-21 coach. But I don't really remember him as a player. I played under his instructions in Milan youth teams when I was a boy but really I learned more from him about being a man, about a correct attitude to the game, than from a technical point of view.

"Then, there has been my captain and colleague Franco Baresi. In my opinion he has received far too little recognition for his influence within the club and within Italian and international football. He is the man of few words but 'talks' instead through his deeds out on the pitch. He really deserves to receive the sort of award I have received from World Soccer. But...thank you again!"]]]]

Career

• Up to the 2004 - 2005 Season

The Designated Number

Paolo Maldini has had AC Milan designate the number 3 for his son Christian who was born in 1996. Christian has already been signed for the AC Milan Youth Club.

• 1：Did not include Coppa Italia or Italian Super Cup
• 2：Did not include European Super Cup

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