Paolo Maldini: Career, Stats, Family, and Net Worth

Paolo Maldini is a former defender, who played for AC Milan and Italy’s national football team. Regarded by many as the greatest defender of all time, he could operate as both a centre-back and a left-back.

Maldini spent his entire club career with Milan and won numerous trophies and individual accolades. He also broke multiple records during his time at the club, some of which still hold. He has made the joint-most appearances in European Cup/Champions League finals along with Paco Gento, both with 8, winning it five times.

He holds the record for most appearances in AC Milan’s history with 902. He retired at the club in 2009 and the club retired the No. 3 shirt in his honour.

For Italy, meanwhile, Maldini was unable to win a trophy but helped them reach the 1994 FIFA World Cup final. He was named in the Team of the Tournament in multiple World Cups and Euros.

Paolo Maldini Information

Full Name: Paolo Cesare Maldini

Profession: Professional footballer

Height: 1.86m

Weight: 85 kg

Foot: Right-footed

Playing position: Central defender/Left-back

Jersey Number: 3

Professional Debut: 1985

Date of Birth: June 26, 1968

Place of Birth: Milan, Italy

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Father: Cesare Maldini

Mother: Maria Luisa De Mezzi

Siblings: 5 – Pier Cesare, Alessandro, Monica, Donatella, Valentina.

Wife: Adriana Fossa

Children: 2 – Daniel, Christian

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Club Career – AC Milan

Paolo Maldini had his first tryout at AC Milan in 1978 at the age of 10. He was selected after playing as a right-side midfielder in the tryout and continued to play in the position for four more years.

The Italian was then deployed as a fullback on the right side but his ability on his weaker left foot meant, he also played on the left side at times. He won multiple trophies with the youth side, including the Coppa Italia Primavera in the 1984-85 season.

Maldini’s impressive performances saw manager Nils Leidholm hand the defender his senior debut in January 1985, as he played as a defender against Udinese at 16 years of age. He then became a permanent member of the squad the following season, primarily playing as a right-back. Paolo Maldini received the No. 3 shirt at AC Milan, the number previously worn by his father Cesare Maldini at the club.

Paolo Maldini formed a formidable defense with the likes of Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta, and Mauro Tassotti. Milan conceded just 14 goals in the 1987-88 season en route to winning the Serie A title. The side was nicknamed ‘The Immortals’ as they went on to win numerous other trophies.

Continued success and individual recognition

AC Milan continued their dominance in Italian football as under Fabio Capello, they won the Serie A title without losing a single game in the 1991-92 season. They were named ‘The Invincibles’ and went on to remain unbeaten for 58 league games! They won the title in the next two seasons as well, making it three in a row.

Maldini was gaining recognition as well after winning three Champions League titles and helping Italy reach the 1994 FIFA World Cup final. He won the World Soccer magazine’s World Player of the Year award in 1994, becoming the first defender to do so.

Meanwhile, Milan continued their incredible success. They also failed in a few Champions League finals but were brilliant regardless.

Captaincy and new era

After Fabio Capello’s departure in 1995, AC Milan’s train of success halted as they faced multiple disappointing results, both domestically and in Europe. Paolo Maldini was then made captain ahead of the 1997-98 season and helped them win the Serie A title in the 1998-99 season.

However, their struggles continued. Then, Carlo Ancelotti, who previously played with Maldini at Milan, was appointed as manager in 2001. He helped the Rossoneri get back to their gloried heights.

They won the 2002-03 UEFA Champions League trophy and won numerous other trophies under Maldini’s captaincy. After an illustrious stint, he announced that he would retire in 2008. However, he then delayed it by a year and eventually retired in 2009. Milan retired the No. 3 shirt but added that if one of Maldini’s sons plays for the club, they can have that number.

Also Read: 10 best football captains of all time

International Career

Paolo Maldini made his Italy U21 debut under his father in 1986. He then made his senior debut two years later in a friendly against Yugoslavia. He became a key part of the team and helped them reach the semi-finals in the 1988 Euros and 1990 FIFA World Cup. He was named in the Team of the Tournament in the latter.

In 1994, Maldini led from the back to help Italy reach the final where they lost against Brazil on penalties. He was again named in the Team of the Tournament. He also participated in the 1996 Euros, the 1998 World Cup, the 2000 Euros, and the 2002 World Cup, after which Maldini retired.

Personal Life

Paolo Maldini was born to form AC Milan and Italy footballer Cesare Maldini and his wife Maria Luisa De Mezzi. He has five siblings. He married Adriana Fossa in 1994 and the couple gave birth to two sons, who both play in Milan’s youth teams.

Paolo Maldini Stats

Paolo Maldini Honours

AC Milan

Serie A: 1987-88, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04

Coppa Italia: 2002-03

Supercoppa Italiana: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004

European Cup/UEFA Champions League: 1988-89, 1989-90, 1993-94, 2002-03, 2006-07

UEFA Super Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003. 2007

Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990

FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Paolo Maldini Net Worth

Paolo Maldini has an estimated net worth of $25 million. Aside from earning during his football days, he also worked as a sporting director for AC Milan between 2018 and 2023. He also took part in various charity football matches. He’s also earned a fair bit from endorsements, and brand deals like with Bwin and Adidas.

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