Paolo Maldini - Il nostro Capitano! 40 years old today

[D-Kin]

I hope he plays, he deserves it.

[Diabolico]

THE CAPTAIN’S LAURELS
5/14/2007 3:54:00 PM
Paolo Maldini reached his 600th Serie A game in this March’s derby and Catania marked his 601st, what an amazing champion and captain he has been and continues to be

Paolo Maldini played his 601st game in Serie A with Milan against Catania. The captain already celebrated the big 600 in March on March 11 of this year (this number includes the UEFA play-off on May 23, 1987 against Sampdoria in Turin). It’s a breathtaking number for the record books. If we set aside the play-off from 1987, which was played after the regular season, yesterday was Maldini’s 600th match. The 600th match of a great champion and a great captain. A hero unlike any other, our very own Paolo Maldini.

Out of those 600 Serie A games played by Maldini there have been 315 victories, 179 draws, 106 losses, with 52,555 minutes played and 28 goals scored.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF THE MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF MALDINI IN SERIE A:

FIRST GAME
January 20, 1985: Udinese-Milan 1-1

GAME NUMBER 100
February 26, 1989: Milan-Pescara 6-1

GAME NUMBER 200
October 18, 1992: Milan-Lazio 5-3

GAME NUMBER 300
December 23, 1995: Fiorentina-Milan 2-2

GAME NUMBER 400
May 2, 1999: Milan-Sampdoria 3-2

GAME NUMBER 500
March 22, 2003 Milan-Juventus 2-1

GAME NUMBER 600 (601 including the UEFA play-off in 1987, Milan-Samp 1-0)
May 13, 2007: Catania-Milan 1-1

A.C. Milan - THE CAPTAIN’S LAURELS

[Aladino]

he keeps on amazing me every time. He is so special...

CONFIDENT CAPTAIN EYES ATHENS
5/15/2007 1:54:00 PM
The countdown to Athens has begun and the Rossoneri captain has his eighth Champions League final in his sights


You can see that Paolo Maldini has the same winning air of confidence that he has always had as he talked about how he is feeling and what he is certain of just eight days before the final in Athens. During a telephone interview with Milan Channel, the captain relived all the details of a Rossoneri life amongst the victories, defeats and the good friends who have or will walk away from the game for the last time.

FINAL IN ATHENS: ‘I always believed in it, so did the coach and if we have made it so evidently someone else believed in it as well. We have overcome the critical moments of a difficult season. We reached optimal form in the Malta training retreat. Above all, we recovered all of our excellent players from injury. So here we are at Athens with the opportunity to write a new page in our history, with the possibility of reaching new heights. This is the joy and honour of playing for Milan, to always be able to compete at the highest level and to always have the possibility to win something. My balance of finals played says that I have won four and lost three, and there's no way I want to even things out!’

EVERYTHING TO BE THERE: ‘The question is will Paolo Maldini play against Liverpool? The answer is simple: I will do everything to be there. My knee swelled up after the game against Catania at the weekend, but that was expected. It will be treated with specialised work over the next days. The problem is just something that occurs, but I know that I can get fit in time for the match against Liverpool. The pain and swelling can also be eliminated with injections. I am certain of one thing though and that’s that I will only play if I am one hundred percent. Otherwise, neither myself nor the coach will have any problem in playing someone who is in better shape than me.’

THOUGHTS ON ISTANBUL: 'Istanbul is a defeat that still hurts, but if analysed it can be seen in a different light. Liverpool know very well how it went, they always had the feeling that certain incidents influenced the outcome. I bet that today the English are thinking more or less like this: we won’t win a game like that again, facing a strong side that scores three goals in the first half. We are more or less the same side that played in the final in Manchester and Istanbul, but as a team we are without a shadow of a doubt going to Athens in the best possible shape.’

SHEVA’S POSSIBLE RETURN: ‘Every player that leaves Milan regrets that decision, but at the same time the club never forgets who gave a lot to this jersey. Milan never has bad blood with anyone and I think that this is the secret and the philosophy that has made the difference over these years. From this base, it is easy to say that Sheva would always be welcomed with open arms.’

COSTACURTA’S GOOD-BYE: ‘Every time that one of my team-mates that made this same journey with me leaves, a part of me dies. This is tough, but it is part of the sport. Milan will be here forever but the people playing the roles will change. Like I have always said, this side will never abandon you and I think that a new and exciting experience is about to start for Billy. He has tried to understand how he can be useful to the side this season and I think that starting a coaching career beside one of your former team-mates is positive and fundamental.’

Such beautiful words by Maldini especially on Billy. Milan have such great legends

[Diabolico]

Yeah, I love the last paragraph especially. You can tell how much the club means to him, and how much Billy means to him too. They're the last two of their great generation, after all.

This is nice:

MALDINI NOMINATED FOR GOLDEN FOOT 2007
5/15/2007
MILAN - Paolo Maldini has been nominated for the Golden Foot 2007. The international award is only for players older than 29 years of age and the winner is decided upon by an international jury of 23 media representatives and from fans all over the world. The other players in the running include David Beckahm, Roberto Carlos, Alessandro Del Piero, Luis Figo, Ryan Giggs, Thierri Henry and Raul Gonzales Blanco. The victor will be named on September 3 and he will then leave a permanent mould of his footprints on "The Champions Promenade" on the seafront of the Principality of Monaco.

AC MILAN - Sito Ufficiale - Official Website

[Aladino]

it's going to Maldini, it has too

[D-Kin]

To be fair of those nominated I think Del Piero has had the best season (albeit in Serie B), but he deserves credit for sticking with the club.

[D-Kin]

Maldini has extended his contract by another year.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[Diabolico]

Originally Posted by Joel

To be fair of those nominated I think Del Piero has had the best season (albeit in Serie B), but he deserves credit for sticking with the club.

If Del Piero gets it, it would be deserved, but of course I hope it goes to Maldini. He's had a great season (when uninjured), but a lot of it is, much as you said, his incredible commitment to Milan. He's had so many chances to quit, and so many good reasons to quit... but not only does he stay around, he continues to give 200% in every match. He's not even just hanging on for sentimental reasons: in my opinion he's still Milan's best CB, or second best (if Nesta is first) at the very least. Quite simply, a legend.

Here's what acmilan.com says about the rumored contract extension, though personally I suspect that he's already signed and Milan is just waiting for a properly dramatic moment to announce it:

MALDINI ON CONTRACT RENEWEL: 'I have not signed but have spoken to Galliani'
5/16/2007

MILANELLO - Carlo Ancelotti spoke about Parlo Maldini during the press conference about the captain playing for another year. Maldini then explained: 'I have not signed yet but during the party for Billy Costacurta I have spoken with Adriano Galliani and we have come to an agreement for another year. We'll see at the end of the season.'

[Aladino]

Maldini determined to have final say
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
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AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini will do "everything possible" to be fit for the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC in Athens in eight days' time.

Postponed surgery
The 38-year-old defender has been struggling with a persistent knee injury throughout the season and opted to postpone surgery in order to help the Rossoneri in the latter stages of the campaign. "After the league game against [Calcio] Catania on Sunday my knee swelled up but it was expected," said Maldini, who played for 65 minutes of the 1-1 draw. "I have to have a personalised training programme this week but I know I can be fit for the game against Liverpool. However, I will only play if I'm 100 per cent fit. Otherwise I will have no problems giving up my place to somebody else."

Defeat 'hurts'
Milan have been crowned European champions on six occasions and Maldini played in four of those finals in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003. "I always believed we could reach the final this season," continued the veteran of 23 seasons at San Siro. "Now we have the chance to write another great page in our history. The Istanbul defeat in 2005 still hurts but I'm sure Liverpool know they will never win a match like that again. Compared to our last two finals in Manchester and Istanbul we are in much better shape."

.

[Aladino]

'Football means Milan'
Friday, 18 May 2007
by Paolo Menicucci
from Milan

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The UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC will not be Paolo Maldini’s last match as many football fans had feared. The AC Milan captain has decided to play on for another season, his 24th wearing the No3 shirt for the Rossoneri. When Maldini does retire in 2008, the club will keep his shirt for safe-keeping, guarding it in the hope of returning it to the family one day if his son Christian, the promising grandson of former Milan captain Cesare Maldini, breaks into the first team. Paolo, 38, spoke with uefa.com about Milan’s family dynasty and his hopes and expectations for his eighth European Champion Clubs’ Cup final.

uefa.com: After the defeat in 2005 is this final more special?

Paolo Maldini: Facing Liverpool is an opportunity to take revenge, but we have nothing against them. During my career I won most of the games I deserved to win. That night was not like that because we surely deserved to win and we didn't. However, we don't have to think about our opponents too much. We have to play our own game and then accept the result on the pitch. They are a dangerous side especially with [Steven] Gerrard and [Peter] Crouch.

uefa.com: What's the build-up to the final like?

Maldini: We are quite calm now. The tension will raise as we get closer to the game, starting from when we leave for Athens on Monday.

uefa.com: Three finals in four years. What is Milan’s secret in this competition?

Maldini: I think the secret is a completely different style of game and life in general. The whole club is different. This is the only club who keeps players even if they are over 35, looking at their talent without considering their age.

uefa.com: How many other finals would you like to play?

Maldini: I hope to play another one after this one in Athens because next season will surely be my last.

uefa.com: The final against Liverpool will be your eighth in the competition, the same number as Real Madrid CF legend Paco Gento. What do you think about reaching such a milestone?

Maldini: Honestly I never cared so much about records. I only think about winning as many trophies as possible and Milan gave me the chance to play so many finals in this competition. Believe me, it is not easy to reach the UEFA Champions League final.

uefa.com: Could you ever imagine achieving so much when you were younger?

Maldini: No, no. I just wanted to become a good Serie A player. When I was younger it was not very common to see Italian teams winning so many trophies in Europe. Milan and Inter had managed to win the trophy twice during the Sixties but otherwise there weren't many Italian teams who had been able to dominate in Europe.

uefa.com: Did your father Cesare give you your love for football?

Maldini: My father did not talk much about football with me. He thought mostly about teaching me as a man and about my education. I think I've loved football since the day I was born. This love pushes me to go on despite my age. I don't think my love for the game will ever die. However in order to achieve great results and always be at the top you have to be lucky enough to play with a great club and I have had this opportunity.

uefa.com: What is Milan for you?

Maldini: Milan is football for me. I have played for this club for my whole career, I was born in Milan, and my father had a very important career with this team. For me the word football means Milan.

uefa.com: Your own son plays for Milan's youth team. Do you think he will become a good player?

Maldini: At his age – he has not turned eleven yet – you can already see if he is capable and he surely is. If he manages to develop this talent and if has the ambition to reach great goals, the next step will be deciding whether he wants to try this career or not.

uefa.com: When you retire, Milan will retire your No3 jersey. Would you like to see your son wearing that shirt?

Maldini: If somebody wears that shirt again, it will surely be one of my sons. I think it would be a very good story.

.

[Diabolico]

Nice interview. This part:

Maldini: I think the secret is a completely different style of game and life in general. The whole club is different. This is the only club who keeps players even if they are over 35, looking at their talent without considering their age.

...is especially true, nice to see him point that out.

[Diabolico]

Not a final Final for Maldini
Tuesday 22 May, 2007
Paolo Maldini insists he will play on for one more season – even if he wins another Champions League title with Milan on Wednesday.

Some whispers in the peninsula have suggested that the 38-year-old could retire in style should he hold aloft the European Cup in Athens, but Maldini has clear ideas about the future.

“I hope to play in yet another Final after this one in Athens, because next season will be my last,” Maldini told uefa.com.

“Milan are football for me, I have played for this club for my entire career, I was born in Milan, and my father had a great career with this team. For me, the word football means Milan.”

Maldini will play in his eighth European Cup Final on Wednesday which will see him equal the record of Real Madrid legend Paco Gento.

“Honestly, I have never really cared about records. I only think about winning as many trophies as possible and Milan have given me the chance to play so many Finals in this competition.”

The former Italian international looks likely to put his knee problems to one side this week in order to face Liverpool, two years after that Istanbul tragedy.

“Facing Liverpool is an opportunity to take revenge, but we have nothing against them,” he continued.

“During my career I have won most of the games I deserved to win, but that night was not like that, we deserved to win and we didn’t.

“They are a very dangerous side, especially with [Steven] Gerrard and [Peter] Crouch, but we don’t have to think about our opponents too much.

“We have to play our own game and accept the result on the pitch.”

Meanwhile, French newspaper L’Equipe dedicated Tuesday’s front page to Maldini by insisting that he deserves to win this year’s Golden Ball.

“Monsieur Maldini lives football like a youngster, with a love that will never end,” an article read.

“Just as his father, in 23 years he has never betrayed his sense of morality, duty and loyalty which have made him one of the icons of Italian football.

“Tomorrow, if the physical trainers are good at their job and the gods listen to us, Milan will offer to Maldini one of the biggest joys in his career, one year before his retirement, a fifth Champions League, a new Intercontinental Final and, why not, the opportunity to dream of the Golden Ball once again.”

France Coach Raymond Domenech also praised Maldini and would like him to win the prestigious award.

“I saw him play against Manchester United and he was impressive," he said. "If it were for me, he would win the Golden Ball.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Diabolico]

Knee surgery for Maldini:

OFFICIAL AC MILAN COMMUNICATION
5/29/2007

MILAN - AC Milan comunicate that players Paolo Maldini and Alberto Gilardino travelled to Antwrep today for surgery under Professor Marc Martens. The captain underwent an operation to his left knee caused by inflammation of the cartilage around the femoro-rotulea while Gilardino had meniscal cysts removed from the outside meniscus of the right knee.

AC MILAN - Sito Ufficiale - Official Website