MILAN - He arrived to his first game...after 1,000 played amongst the professionals, Paolo Maldini has gathered just praises following the game against Arsenal. The game presented itself as one of the most difficult and delicate ones of the season, but he did not limit himself to lead the team. No, he almost scored, with a header, he defended, he pushed forward just like he had 20 years less and he covered two roles: that of a full-back and that of a central defender.
The captain said that at the end of the season he will retire, but after having seen him in the conditions of Wednesday evening, many are begging him to change his mind. First of all the fans: 'Paolo change your mind', 'Captain, don't leave football, you can still give a lot,' 'Maldini unique, he must not give up', 'Paolo continue to lead us, continue to play'. These are some of the messages launched to the one who the English have been calling for some time 'History Man'. It was the English daily newspapers who came up with this word, 'History Man', the symbol of the game. It was the Daily Mirror to name Paolo Maldini like this, following the win in the Champions League of Milan at Manchester against Juventus. Manchester, in 2003, Paolo Maldini captain of Milan. Wembley, in 1963, Cesare Maldini captain of Milan. Things which happen to a few. No actually to no one. Only to him and only here.
Following the London performance, not only the fans, but even the critics (and it couldn't be otherwise) are on his side. The average vote of the media was around 7.5. Not bad for one who in some moments was criticized for his age and performances... But this is also his strength. Yes, because after thet game, the captain revealed what he believes to be a bit his secret: "The passion for this sport, the enjoyment I have every time I go on the pitch. the love for this shirt.@ In just one word, we can talk about the 'sense of duty' of a great professional. To those who invted him not to leave the football world, he responds like this: "I think that it will be difficult to change my mind. From the outside you only see the positive things, those that go, but in reality I often find myself with some minor injury which does not allow me to remain calm. Continuing would be difficult. After all, my football career gave me a lot, therefore I feel extremely satisfied." However, rarely Paolo uses the term 'fulfilled', even because his dream is that of closing with his farewell game of...Moscow.
Balanced champion, the Milan captain has always been respectful in the wins and calibrated in the defeats. No excess in celebrations, no drama. The way of Paolo Maldini has always been more adequate. Also for this, starting very young, he reached and surpassed the 1000 official games quote. These are some important careers of his career:
OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH MILAN: 860
DEBUT GAME: Udinese-Milan 1-1, 20th January 1985
OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM: 126 (Record)
DEBUT GAME: Yugoslavia-Italy 1-1, 31st March 1988
OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE UNDER 21: 12
OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE OLYMPIC NATIONAL TEAM: 1
PAOLO MALDINI'S WINS WITH MILAN:
7 SCUDETTI - 5 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 1 WORLD CLUB CUP - 2 INTERCONTINENTAL CUPS - 5 EUROPEAN SUPER CUPS - 5 ITALIAN SUPER CUPS - 1 COPPA ITALIA
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
7 September 1988: VITOCHIA SOFIA-MILAN 0-2, Paolo Maldini's debut in the Champions Cup
22 March 2003: MILAN-JUVENTUS 2-1, 500th game of Paolo Maldini in Serie A
11 March 2007: INTER-MILAN 2-1, 600th game of Paolo Maldini in Serie A
26 November 2003: AJAX-MILAN 0-1, 100th game of Paolo Maldini in Champions Cup/Champions League
ACMilan.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment