Paolo Maldini Says His San Siro Goodbye
By: chris | May 23rd, 2009
We haven’t had a retirement this big since Zinedine Zidane in 2006 and, let’s hope, it should go much better. And were it not for the stage of Zidane’s retirement, it could be said this is much bigger.
Paolo Maldini has been playing for Milan since 1985, which is nothing short of remarkable. But what’s downright flabbergasting is that Paolo Maldini has been playing at a high level for Milan since 1985. No drop off, no letdown, very fews signs of that career killer known as “age”. For two and a half decades, nothing but class.
Long defined as the symbol of Milan, the world’s premiere defender and the man with a trophy cabinet enough to make all but a few clubs in the world jealous. But it’s perhaps his dignity and class which have seen him become the favorite of so many without ties to Milan or those who don’t even follow Serie A on a regular basis. Always the gentleman with a bounty of gifts from God.
Next week Milan are away to Fiorentina – reason enough to do away with computer scheduling – and thus today Paolo will bid an emotional farewell to a packed San Siro which will surely be devoid of a single dry eye the moment 3 flashes on the board.
The game is at 1500 CET, 0900 EST and the streaming is here. Whether you’re a Milan fan, a Maldini fan, a fan of calcio, a sucker for a tear-jerker or somebody who just popped in for GoogleAds, it’s a strongly recommended watch. For what he’s meant to Milan, Italy and the world of football, the send-off will be appropriately poetic.
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Comments
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So Long Paolo !
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Coming from someone who detests Milan, this guy is surely one of the greatest professionals to walk this planet.
Hats off and more to you Paolo.
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The very idea of Milan without Maldini still seems strange to me…
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Poland -
The best player I’ve had the pleasure to see in my lifetime. What an absolute legend.
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Has been a perfect example of professionalism, a true legend. It will be very strange to see the Milan team sheet without a trace of his name.
Hopefully his son can continue his great family tradition in the coming decades…
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Let’s hope he means it this time. This guy was suppose to retire in 2005. If he takes back his decision again, he should eat his own face.
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Paolo did have a drop off about a decade ago in terms of quality, but that was only compared to his Godly self. Compared to mere mortals, he was and still is a cut above the rest.
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Seth, you’re a real dumbass.
Never mind Paolo eating his face, looks like someone ate your brain and replaced it with a turd.Posted from
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Tony, you must be Italian, so I’m not even going to bother. Italians hate criticism and are always tight asses. Must be all that head up there
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incorrect, i’m canadian; although its showing iceland for some reason.
Hating criticism? How is it that you stressing the fact that he better be serious about retiring being critical. After all in this day in age players retire and come out of retirement all the time, just look at jordan, how many times did he come back.
All we’re saying is show the man some respect, 25 years in (at times) the best league in the world is astonishing.Posted from
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1985!!! That is unbelievable!! What a fantastic footballer, well done sir, well done.
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A great player and fine representative of the game. All young players should look up to him as a role model.
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seth , U seems to me one of the worst poeple looking after the football. Totally dumb , All u have to stop viewing any of the sportsperson
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Australia -
Good bye Paolo, my favorite player all the years. Thanks for all you have done for football. Grazie Paolo.
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