Maldini reveals quit plans (2 Viewers)

[Alltagsheld]

I saw those big Maldini fashion window displays at the H&M in Lisbon last month...

About a month ago, I walked into H&M in Bremen and was surprised because there was Maldini hanging all around. Many people who go there don't know who he is and the others, like me, don't except such a Maldini-invasion. Maybe in Italy, but not here in Germany. But I found it quite amusing.

 

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[Geof]

Yeah I saw these H&M commercials with Maldini on it. It was classy...

Anyway, I have nothing but respect for Paolo! An immense player!

 

[AzzurriGirl]

One of the most classy players to ever take the field in football. Whenever Paolo decides to retire, in form or terribly out of form, he will be missed. Maldini is one of the few players to transform defending into something classified as an art.

Perfectly said Andy and I totally agreee. I loved watching Maldini playing with the Azzurri. He is the one who made me sit up and pay attention to defensive players. He was a great Captain for the NT and I was sorry to see him leave the Azzurri when he did. Sad that he never lifted the WC. They really should have won in 94

 

[AngelaL]

I remember when I saw a video when Baresi-Maldini played together. That was a fucking good defense.
A good player, sadly, milanista

Milan had a good defence then. I remember "General Franco" Baresi played until he was 40, if I remember correctly a commentator said of Franco, that his ability to read the game was soooo good that it made up for the lack of speed due to his age.

 

[Elvin]

Ok, wanna start a discussion?

Who's greater Scirea or Maldini?

 

[JCK]

Ok, wanna start a discussion?

Who's greater Scirea or Maldini?

One actually compares Scirea to Baresi and Maldini to Padovano.

 

[Elvin]

wow didn't think Padovano was that good

 

[JCK]

wow didn't think Padovano was that good

Well, Zambrotta joined the scum of the litter; otherwise he would have qualified for the comparison.

 

[Il Re]

i think maybe age is catching up with paolo and its time to call it a day, he was probably the best defender i ever saw and a great player both on and off the pitch

 

[Jun-hide]

Milan had a good defence then. I remember "General Franco" Baresi played until he was 40, if I remember correctly a commentator said of Franco, that his ability to read the game was soooo good that it made up for the lack of speed due to his age.

So true. If there was any demonstrated needed that defending is all about postioning not muscling opponents out then I will gladly rewind the tape of 94WC final to Rio Ferdinand over and over again.

 

[Jun-hide]

Milan had a good defence then. I remember "General Franco" Baresi played until he was 40, if I remember correctly a commentator said of Franco, that his ability to read the game was soooo good that it made up for the lack of speed due to his age.

So true. If there was any demonstrated needed that defending is all about postioning not muscling opponents out then I will gladly rewind the tape of 94WC final to Rio Ferdinand over and over again.

 

[JuveAdam]

Paolo Maldini is one of the greatest sportsmen of his generation. Rare in todays game in that he played his entire career for one club. He is a true Milanista, who followed his dreams (& his fathers footsteps) to lift trophy after trophy for the club he loved all his life. It will be sad to see his retirement from the game, tainted by his premature international retirement. I will remember him as Italy's most capped player & a true gentleman on the pitch. He wore his colours with a passion & his captains armband with real pride.

On another, related topic. The retiring of shirt numbers is a ridiculous notion in the game of football. To deny future generations the oppourtunity to wear the shirt numbers of legends, & to add their own chapter to its glory is so so wrong. Napoli retired "Maradona's" number 10, does that ignore the achievements of Zola? If we had retired our number 10 for Boniperti or Sivori, what does that say of the skills & contributions of Platini, Laudrup, Baggio & Ale? Future number 10's (or 3's or 6's) may surpass the deeds of their esteemed predessors. This should be stopped before it gets silly.

 

[Jun-hide]

Paolo Maldini is one of the greatest sportsmen of his generation. Rare in todays game in that he played his entire career for one club. He is a true Milanista, who followed his dreams (& his fathers footsteps) to lift trophy after trophy for the club he loved all his life. It will be sad to see his retirement from the game, tainted by his premature international retirement. I will remember him as Italy's most capped player & a true gentleman on the pitch. He wore his colours with a passion & his captains armband with real pride.

On another, related topic. The retiring of shirt numbers is a ridiculous notion in the game of football. To deny future generations the oppourtunity to wear the shirt numbers of legends, & to add their own chapter to its glory is so so wrong. Napoli retired "Maradona's" number 10, does that ignore the achievements of Zola? If we had retired our number 10 for Boniperti or Sivori, what does that say of the skills & contributions of Platini, Laudrup, Baggio & Ale? Future number 10's (or 3's or 6's) may surpass the deeds of their esteemed predessors. This should be stopped before it gets silly.

I agree. I mean after a couple of decades or so you might have half of the first 11number being retired. That would be plain dumb. Why not stop with Maldini and give similar recognition of achievement to Van Basten, Tassotti, Costacourta, Albertini, George Weah et al. They were just as instrumental to that famous Milan team in late 80s to mid 90s. Good mention on Maradona - Zola as well. I also think Daniele Foncesca wore No.10 for Napoli as well and lets not forget with them he was one of the most feared striker in the world.

 

[Elvin]

On another, related topic. The retiring of shirt numbers is a ridiculous notion in the game of football. To deny future generations the oppourtunity to wear the shirt numbers of legends, & to add their own chapter to its glory is so so wrong. Napoli retired "Maradona's" number 10, does that ignore the achievements of Zola? If we had retired our number 10 for Boniperti or Sivori, what does that say of the skills & contributions of Platini, Laudrup, Baggio & Ale? Future number 10's (or 3's or 6's) may surpass the deeds of their esteemed predessors. This should be stopped before it gets silly.

Well retiring jersey numbers happens very rare actually.

I know just 4:

Napoli's 10 (Maradona), Milan's 6 (Baresi) & 3 (Maldini), Cagliari's 11 (Riva), oh and Inter's 3 (Facchetti)

That's it. No need to worry

 

[Azzurri7]

i think maybe age is catching up with paolo and its time to call it a day, he was probably the best defender i ever saw and a great player both on and off the pitch

Well said.

He's simply on top when you want to mention best defenders ever. Like someone said he's a symbol to many defenders. Paolo is just class, off and on the pitch.