Paolo Maldini Is The ‘Most Loved Player In Serie A’

A poll conducted by one of Italy’s top daily sportspapers shows that the Rossoneri legend is the inspiration behind the dreams of many of Serie A's best footballers.

La Gazzetta dello Sport asked 100 top flight players to name the man who most inspired them to pursue a career in football.

Milan skipper Paolo Maldini got the majority of the votes in front of former Napoli hero Diego Maradona and ex-Juventus and Italy ace Roberto Baggio.

Maldini has become a cult figure in the peninsula after playing over 600 games with the Diavoli in an outstanding career which is expected to come to an end this year.

The legendary left-back’s trophy cabinet boasts almost every major piece of silverware in world football, but he painfully missed out on World Cup glory and retired from international football after the doomed adventure at the 2002 event in Japan and South Korea.

That is why Goal.com is currently leading a campaign to persuade Italy boss Marcello Lippi to hand him a swansong on the international stage when Italy and Brazil will square off at the Emirates Stadium on February 10.

Vince Masiello, Goal.com