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Paolo Maldini What can you say about Paolo Maldini that hasn't already been said? A one-club man who is a legend for both Milan and Italy, he is possibly the only player currently active who can claim to be the best that the world has ever seen in his position. He joined the Rossoneri at the age of 10 and he is still there as he approaches his 40th birthday. The difference is that now he has become a true icon to both Italian fans and many others around the world. Whenever I think of a great defender it is his image that comes to mind - he is a symbol of calcio and what any young star should aspire to be. Maldini's list of honours is awe-inspiring. He has seven Scudetti, one Coppa Italia, five Italian Super Cups, five Champions League titles, five European Super Cups and three World Club Cups to his name - and those are just his team honours. As an individual he holds the record number of appearances for Milan, Italy's national side and Serie A, as well as being named in Pele's list of the greatest living footballers. He is the oldest player ever to score in a European Cup Final, also claiming the quickest goal in the showpiece match - not bad for someone usually associated with stopping the ball reaching the net rather than putting it there himself. Quite a roll of honour then, but it doesn't tell you everything about Maldini. It can't describe the unique relationship he holds with the fans, the way his mere presence on the pitch seems to fill his teammates with confidence. Even as he has aged well into his 30s, the versatile defender has never lost his ability to make an inch-perfect tackle or his instinctive knack of being in the right position to intercept an otherwise deadly pass. All of those qualities mean that not only is he a great icon of calcio, but possibly the greatest of them all. Even the Diavolo's rivals can't help but respect a player who has meant so much to Italian football. He came under a lot of pressure after being made Italy captain by his father Cesare, but his performances made any suggestions of parental bias completely ridiculous. When he does finally retire he will be sorely missed, but he will always be remembered as the modern symbol of Italian defending.

Words: James Sugrue

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