Gullit Finds Shoe, Opens Mouth, Inserts Shoe

Ruud Gullit isn’t exactly known for saying some of the smartest things – calling Jose Mourinho’s departure a “shock” and saying Francesco Totti “is good….for Roma” because “he doesn’t defend” in the last few months alone, off the top of my head. Jose’s departure was widely expected for much of the last decade and Totti is a little more than good – for anyone – and a striker; in calcio they don’t defend all that much, which Ruud should probably know. Now it’s more of the same, saying that Paolo Maldini is “too old” for MLS. Dear lord, a 40 year old Maldini would be far and away the best player in MLS.

“These days, Milan is an old team, it must change. Paolo Maldini is now 40 years old and even too old for the United States, I would rather take home with me Rino Gattuso.”

And at second glance, “even too old for the United States”. Man, talk about a backhanded compliment. MLS: Europe’s Retirement Home. Though it’s nice to see he’s already calling LA home. That didn’t take long.

Now, perhaps Gullit hasn’t been watching his old teammate play lately (busy getting ready for Beckham’s next injury), because he’s been an absolute marvel. He looks a lot closer to 20 than 40, and this questioning retirement bit is just as much about “feeling good” as it is that he’s simply still too good to retire. Every game is a clinic for attackers.

Putting aside form for a moment, Paolo Maldini is a saint. An absolute saint. He is as classy as it gets, comprises all that is right with athletes, and I have honestly yet to meet a soul with one negative thing to say about him. A decrepit Paolo Maldini would be a boon to any US side – and probably a couple in Serie A to boot (Empoli, I’m lookin’ at you) – just on pitch influence alone. You don’t say these things about a former teammate who is still playing, a person of his overwhelming class, and a guy who just happens to also be one of the best to have ever played the game. Any team would be lucky to get Maldini, much less a team in the states.

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Category: MLS, Serie A, World Football