Paolo Maldini (English)

Played in 4 World Cups: Italy 1990, United States 1994, France 1998 and Korea-Japan 2002
Played in 3 UEFA Euro: Federal Republic of Germany 1988, England 1996 and Belgium-Netherlands 2000

National Team: 126 games played (1988-2002) with 7 goals scored. Maldini was captain in 74 matches (1997-2002).
AC Milan: 902 games played (648 Italian League) with 33 goals scored (29 goals Italian League).

Twice Bronze Ball (1994 and 2003)
Team of the Tournament: UEFA Euro Federal Republic of Germany 1988, England 1996 and Belgium-Netherlands 2000
Best Defender: Italian League (2004)
Defender of the Year UEFA (2007)
Hall of Fame Italian Football (2012)
UEFA Commemorative Medal after reaching one hundred appearances with his National Team.

One of the best and most complete defenders in the history of the sport. He could play as a centre-back or full-back due to his pace, defensive awareness and intelligence.
Maldini is the son of former AC Milan defender (1954-1966) and Italian legend, the late Cesare Maldini (1932-2016).
Paolo spent all of his professional career in Milan, representing them at age 10 and retiring 31 years later. Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello, Alberto Zaccheroni and Carlo Ancelotti were some of his coaches; Filippo Galli, Mauro Tassotti and Franco Baresi some of his biggest influences.

In January 20, 1985 (16 years), he made his debut, facing Udinese in the Italian League, substituting Sergio Battistini. Nils Liedholm was the coach. In the next season, the player was an undisputed starter.

1988 was a special year for Maldini, making his Azzurri debut in March 31st in a tie against Yugoslavia, and winning his first titles with Milan, the League title and Italian Supercup.
Paolo kept improving, becoming one of the world’s best defenders.
During 1989 and 1999, he lifted numerous trophies, including 3 European Cup/UEFA Champions League, 5 Serie A titles, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 3 UEFA Supercups, and 3 Italian Supercups. He also participated in three World Cups, finishing in the podium twice, 1990 and 1994.
In 2002, Maldini retired from the Italian National Team, following a controversial loss versus South Korea in the World Cup. The player holds the record for most minutes played in World Cup history with 2,217.

In 2003, he won his first and only Coppa Italia; as well as his fourth UEFA Champions League, overcoming Juventus on penalties.
One year later, he lifted the last Scudetto of his career, but lost in the Champions League against Liverpool. Fortunately for Maldini, Milan returned the final in 2007, this time defeating Liverpool two goals to one.

In May 31, 2009, Paolo Maldini played his last professional match, in a 3-2 loss versus AS Roma.
Nº3 was retired by AC Milan, only his children will be able to use it if they wish to do so.
Francisco Gento and Maldini are the only players to participate in 8 UEFA Champions League/European Cup finals. The Italian won 5 in three different decades.
In 2016, with businessman and investor Riccardo Silva, Paolo founded Miami FC, team that played in the North American Soccer League (NASL) and National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The team now plays in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship.

Paolo Maldini works as Technical Director for his beloved club AC Milan, showing great dedication and potential.

AC Milan

“Paolo Maldini”, https://www.acmilan.com/en/paolo-maldini

Herrero, Edu (2016) “Cesarone”, mito del Milan y de la dinastía Maldini”, https://as.com/futbol/2016/04/03/internacional/1459676674_030831.html

Roldán, Isabel (2019) “Maldini ha dicho que sí; nace un nuevo Milan”, https://as.com/futbol/2019/06/03/internacional/1559545225_740534.html

ESPN

FIFA

Mundo Deportivo

News Mondo

Acri, Fabio (2019) “Milan-Sampdoria, precedenti di coppa: la Supercoppa Italiana 1988”, https://newsmondo.it/milan-sampdoria-supercoppa-italiana-1988/calcio/

The Guardian

Bandini, Paolo (2009) “Paolo Maldini bows out at Milan with jeers in his ears”, https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/may/25/serieafootball-acmilan

The Sun

Sheen, Tom (2018) “Globetrotter Paolo Maldini still the king of cool as globetrotting AC Milan legend splits time between Miami and chiling with superstar friends”, https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/6199910/paolo-maldini-ac-milan-miami/

UEFA

(2018) “Récords y estadísticas de la final de la Champions League”, https://es.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2558013.html