The Last Few Months of Maldini
By: Martha | December 17th, 2007
When Italian and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini announced his retirement last year, the entire footballing world paid tribute to him, with good reason. No matter what league or team you follow, Maldini is a player — and a person — it’s impossible not to respect: Classy, graceful, unassuming, wildly talented, quietly intelligent. He’s made more appearances than anyone else for the Italian national team and, perhaps more impressively, spent every minute of a career that spans more than two decades with a single club, from his first youth match to his last senior one. You don’t find players like that in any sport any more, let alone in football.
So, the praise came from all corners of the earth, and we prepared for life After Maldini (at least until his son Christian makes his Milan debut) — but then he changed his mind. Despite knees so bad he couldn’t play two matches in a row and the need for yet another surgery, Maldini decided to stay around for the 2007-2008 season, a change of heart with which no one offered an argument, particularly those at Milan who were looking at a Maldini-free defense with no small sense of concern.
Now, though, the reprieve is over and the end is really nigh: After Milan’s victory in the World Club Cup final yesterday, Maldini again said goodbye, effective at the end of the season. That gives us all about five more months to watch him before he vanishes from football (Unlike his father, who coached for nearly 30 years after his playing career ended, Maldini has said he has no interest whatsoever in coaching.), and we all should make an effort to do so — there’s not going to be another one like him for a long, long time.
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Comments
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I dunno, Martha. I still have real issues with the guy’s refusal to be photographed without clothes. And he calls himself Italian?
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Apparently not hard enough. I take it back. Gladly.
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“there’s not going to be another one like him for a long, long time”
I really really beg to differ…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXpPD3FpxIg
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Daniel is, what, six? That gives him three decades to catch up to dad, which is a task even with his last name — I stand by what I said.
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Cutest. Video. Ever. (Except for all those Zidane-and-sons ones, of course.)
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bah, give him 10 years and i bet he will have made an appearance on the first team.
haha
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PLaying alongside his big brother, no doubt ….
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hell to the yes. if there was ever a brilliant ambassador to the sport, it would be him. i’m gonna be crying during his last match, no doubt. ALE MALDINI PER SEMPRE. and that photo is completely gorgeous. to the extreme.
haha, im glad someone brought up the daniel maldini video, always puts a smile on my face. martha, you need to add “cutest english accent” to the list: http://youtube.com/watch?v=x0Y1Wk2wr74
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I will miss the great Italian legend. When he hangs up his boots a part of me will won’t recover from the sadness. Hats off to you Mr. Maldini.
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