Maldini became a fixture in the Milan side at just 17 years of age and formed part of one of the
greatest defences of all time alongside Franco Baresi, Allesandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti.
His finest individual performances were in the 1994 season. With Baresi and Costacurta suspended
from the European Cup final, Maldini was switched from his usual role of left back to central defence
and gave a masterful display as Milan massacred Barcelona in Athens. Equally superb for Italy during
the summer's World Cup Maldini was promptly voted player of the year by readers of World Soccer
magazine.
Maldini retired from international level following Italy's disastrous 2002 World Cup campaign.
It was not a good tournament for the Italy captain, he was out jumped by the much smaller Ahn
en route to heading in the winning goal.
Maldini started his 19th season at Milan seemingly a spent force but alongside new signing
and former international team-mate Allessandro Nesta, the duo formed the best centre back
pairing in Europe. Maldini crowned a magical season by emulating his father and captaining Milan
to a European Cup final triumph. More silverware followed weeks later as the club completed an
emphatic victory over Roma in the Italian Cup final.
For years was unanimously considered the best full back in the World before making a switch to
centre back. Sensational pace, a tremendous, clean tackler, superb in the air and famous for his
runs into attack. The defender with the movie star looks was a legend by his mid twenties.
A fourth European Cup should cement his reputation as one of the greatest defenders of all time. |