Champions League, Global, Serie A

The Special No.3

One of the world’s best will be leaving the game soon. A striker’s nightmare, a defensive coach’s dream, Ravin Sampat commemorates the real ‘Italian Stallion’: Paolo Maldini. His father is famous, and his son is already on the Rossonerri’s books, but AC Milan’s draw with Parma saw Paolo Maldini himself take the acclaim as he reached [...]

One of the world’s best will be leaving the game soon. A striker’s nightmare, a defensive coach’s dream, Ravin Sampat commemorates the real ‘Italian Stallion’: Paolo Maldini.

His father is famous, and his son is already on the Rossonerri’s books, but AC Milan’s draw with Parma saw Paolo Maldini himself take the acclaim as he reached 1,000 games.

In an amazing career that has spanned 24 years, Maldini has won five European Cups, seven Serie A titles, is Italy’s most capped player, and is widely recognised as the game’s best ever left-back.

Ironically, Maldini started his career as a forward, the very position he has come to surpress in the last two decades.

Under coach Arrigo Saachi, Maldini was asked to play at left-back, and it his here that his famous career started. Under the education of mentor Franco Baresi and defensive partner Alessandro Costacurta, Maldini earned his trade as a promising centre-half under coach Fabio Capello, starring in the Milan ‘dream team’ of 1988-1993 with the likes of Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten.

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As a player, Maldini was respected by everyone. Not only did he set an example with his fantastic leadership on and off the field, but the manner in which he led Italy and Milan was similar to how a Italian fashion house is led by its designer: slick, stylish and professional. Just ask Dolce & Gabbana, who gave him a lucrative 10-year deal to promote its jumpers.

Maldini will not only be remembered for his good looks, long wavy hair and the famous number 3 on his shirt, but as the complete defender. I vividly remember his performance against Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League second round tie in 2005. In both legs, he kept Ronaldo isolated, outmarked, hustled and tackled the Portuguese out of the game.

In the 2003 Champions League final, Maldini was the best player on the pitch in a a final that was applauded for its spectacle as ‘the art of defending’ by both Juventus and Milan. His last gasp tackle on Alex Del Piero outlined much of what Maldini’s career has been about: making defending look just as attractive as attacking. He is and will be remembered as the 20th century’s most technically gifted defender.

Of course, not all things have been fantastic for Maldini.

In the 2002 World Cup his concentration lapse allowed Ahn to score the golden goal which knocked out Italy in the second round to South Korea. Plagued by injury over the last four years, Maldini’s form dropped and the emergence of Materazzi and Barzagli as understudies to the already excellent Nesta and Cannavaro ensured Maldini’s international career diminished.

Today, Maldini’s career continues, regardless of injuries and his lack of games. But as the big 1000th game approached, Maldini is still regarded as not only one of the best defenders, captains and footballers in modern history, but also as an example of a player who masterfully adapted over the decades to an ever-changing game.

Every manager has described him as the model professional, but Maldini may feel disheartened by the two things missing on his already impressive CV: a World Cup winner’s medal and European or World Player of the Year award.

Yet Maldini should not look back in disappointment. The World Cup may have eluded him but player of the year awards are more often than not reserved for an attacker (Cannavaro being the first defender in 10 years to win the award). But this is the nature of the game that has changed, from respecting defenders yesterday, to salivating over attackers today. Maldini has been able to transform his game from a wholly defensive one during his education in the late 1980’s and throughout the 90’s to an attacking, technically proficient defender during the 2000’s.

Maldini is a icon; a leader; the professional; the modern game’s best ever left back. He played during two eras of football’s most defining moments and has emerged as one of the sport’s true treasures.

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Is Maldini the greatest ever left-back?
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