MILAN — After breaking records for international caps and Serie A appearances, Paolo Maldini, Milan captain and living legend, today reaches another milestone: the big 4-0. Maldini is unique in modern world football, and not simply because of his longevity. Since making his Serie A debut as a 16 year-old at Udinese in January 1985, the Milan defender has remained a one-club man, refusing to leave his beloved rossoneri — a rarity in the modern age. Of course, red-and-black runs through the Maldini family: Paolo’s father, Cesare (pictured below with a young Paolo), captained Milan to their first European Cup victory against Benfica at Wembley in 1963, and later coached Paolo with both Milan and Italy.
Like father, like son: Cesare Maldini with a young Paolo
(already in a Milan jersey), circa late-1970s.
An elegant and pacy young left-back, and when Milan began the 1987-88 season Maldini was a firm fixture in their line-up, and his winning performances earned him a place in the Italy side which reached the semi-finals at the following summer’s European Championships in Germany. In the years which followed Maldini became worldly recognized as one of the greatest defenders to ever play the game, and in the late 1990s took over the Franco Baresi’s captaincy and authoritative central defensive role for both Milan and Italy. In a career spanning 23 years, Maldini has won everything at Milan, including seven scudetti and five European Cups/Champions League titles (losing three other finals). He has also played in four World Cups and three European Championships, finishing third in Italia ’90 and runner-up twice at USA ’94 and again at Euro 2000. He retired from the international football after the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea.
Maldini married Adriana Fossa, a former model from Venezuela, in 1994 following a long engagement. They have two children, Christian and Daniele. Young Christian is already mimicking his dad’s trademark sliding tackle as he makes his way through Milan’s youth ranks. Even at this early stage, Italian bookmakers are taking bets on not if, but when the 12 year-old will make his Milan debut, an achievement which would certainly secure the Maldini family’s position as Italy’s greatest footballing dynasty. Although Milan plan to retire Maldini’s number 3 shirt when Paolo quits, it will be bequeathed to his sons if they make the first team.
Maldini indulges his passion for music and sun on Miami’s South Beach.
Maldini celebrated his 40th with his family in Miami, where he has a house and hopes to spend more time following the end of his playing career. In recent years Maldini has begun cultivating his interests outside of football, especially in music and fashion. He regularly performs DJ duties at private parties and for radio, co-founded the popular Italian clothing brand Sweet Years with Christian Vieri, and has even found time to model for Swedish high street giant H&M. In 2005 he was the subject of an ambitious two-hour documentary film directed by Paolo Ameli called, appropriately, Paolo Maldini: Il Film.
Maldini lends his milanese looks to the latest European fashions.
But it seems Maldini has no intention of trading in the rossonero jersey just yet: in the last couple of years Milan’s bandiera (club symbol, or literally “flag”) has defied both critics and aging knees by repeatedly backing out of pending retirement, and last month signed a one-year extension to his Milan contract. Despite injury and repeated success, Maldini’s motivation remains stronger than ever, and he is said to already be looking forward to the challenge of another season at the top.
Auguri capitano!
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