"They were all behind him, from Ronaldo to Maradona, from Matthaeus to Trapattoni and Capello. All the top figures in world football without exception believe that Paolo Maldini should have been crowned with the Pallone d'Oro (Golden Ball) award for the best player in European football this season. They are clear and transparent backings and declarations, all of them in favour of captain Maldini. Taken from the point of view that Maldini has had a stellar year, with its victories and the prestige which goes with it there was no doubt about his viability. However, it has ended in the same way as it did nine seasons ago. Back then, Paolo won the Champions Cup, but the Pallone d'Oro went to Hristo Stoitchkov who was part of the Barcelona side that were beaten by Milan in the Champions League final in Athens. A great champion over a long period had been beaten by a player who had only been at the top for a short time.
Overall, the final polls for the Pallone d'Oro reflected the strength in depth of the Milan squad. The Rossoneri were the only side with five players in the top 25, Real, for their part, had four plus David Beckham who had been a Manchester United player until last June. However, one just has to look at the three cup triumphs to see how well the Rossoneri really did."