Maldini Monday
By: Gianfranco | August 11th, 2008Elite (also spelled Élite) is taken originally from the Latin, eligere, “to elect”. In sociology as in general usage, the Ă©lite is a relatively small dominant group within a large society, which enjoys a privileged status envied by individuals of lower social status.
The position of an elite at the top of the strata almost invariably puts it in a position of leadership and often subjects the holders of elite status to pressure to maintain their position as part of the elite. However, in spite of the pressures, the existence of the elite stratum is usually unchanged.
When talking about elite players arguments stem from all fronts. Every fan wants one of their player’s in the elite strata, every fan wants to know their player stands past present and future as the best player to play their position. Though many of us may argue that Milan has had more than one player in this class, I challenge anyone to argue that Paolo Maldini, now and when he is all said done, is in the class of the elite.
Every generation or so a player comes along who not only captivates every fan of the squad, but grabs hold of the attention of the entire world and forces them to take notice. This player takes his position and turns it on his side, doing it better, faster, stronger, with less effort, and more excitement than anyone before him. That same player brings comfort to fans, and fear to his opponents when they see him on the pitch. Though he needs no explanation, defense, or discussion, one can not help but stop and admire how truly amazing Paolo Maldini still is and has been.
One last addition to the resume, for any elite player, and Paolo is no exception. Is the respect that he carries across the globe for the classy player he is. He is widely known as one of the most family oriented, non-glamorous, and humble players to the play game. But what sells me the most is when a movie was done about Paolo’s playing career that some of the world’s greatest players turned out, ie Zidane, Ronaldo, and Roberto Carlos, to just plain discuss why he was so hard to play against, and just praise him for the top class calciatore that he is.
If you didn’t notice I portrayed Paolo as an elite player without mentioning a single award, accomplishment, stat, or trophy. Just in case you weren’t sold on Paolo and you are a numbers person, these won’t do anything to disway you.
Serie A
-Winner (7): 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
-Runner-up (3): 1990, 1991, 2005
Coppa Italia
-Winner (1): 2003
-Runner-up (2): 1990, 1998
Supercoppa Italiana
-Winner (5): 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004
-Runner-up (3): 1996, 1999, 2003
UEFA Champions League
-Winner (5): 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
-Runner-up (3): 1993, 1995, 2005
UEFA Super Cup
-Winner (5): 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
-Runner-up (1): 1993
Intercontinental Cup
-Winner (2): 1989, 1990
-Runner-up (3): 1993, 1994, 2003
FIFA Club World Cup
-Winner (1): 2007
International
FIFA World Cup
-Runner-up: 1994
-Third place: 1990
-Appearances: 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002
UEFA European Championship
-Runner-up: 2000
-Appearances: 1996, 2000
Personal
FIFA Top 100
1994 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament
Serie A Defender of the Year: 2004
UEFA Champions League Best Defender: 2007
Most Outstanding Young Football Player in Europe (Bravo Award) 1989
UEFA Team of the Year: 2003, 2005
FIFPro World XI: 2005
FIFA World Player of the Year (runner-up): 1995
Most Capped Player for Azzurri
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Comments | Add your comment
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Shoulda signed. Look at LA. Winless in 7 weeks, Gullit resigns, Lalas sacked….he gave up Europe for money and fame. The 8-year old footballer in him must be furious.
Posted from
United States
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just read the article. simply genius.
Posted from
Canada -
hey what’s up with the kaka rumors…I get online once since august 6th and I hear he’s ok with moving…WHAT?!?!
Posted from
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Welcome back Ro,nothing to worry about,it is just a rumor.
Posted from
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not back yet I’m going home tomorrow…but thanks for clearing that up
Posted from
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If we lose Ivanovic to you I will be pretty irked. It’s not that we need him, but he’s what, the 3rd Juve-target to go to Milan instead? Milan need him and he needs Milan.
Posted from
United States -
In the Milan-Arsenal CL game when Adebayor scored and was celebrating the ref was going there to tell them to restart the game. And Maldini just held his hand as if to say let them enjoy it. Awesome. What a player… Arsenal got a standing ovation at the San Siro. Also Milan sent a get well soon message to Eduardo. Very very classy stuff from Il Capitano and Milan.
Forza RossoneriPosted from
India -
Two weeks to go and no new signings. Kiss another year goodbye folks.
Posted from
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Gian - super sweet article, when u look at the list i truly believe that it will be hard for another player to come along and hit even half of those milestones.
The guy is just out & out class who has managed to transcend his sport and rightfully so.
The guy took a pay cut to stay! And you thought there was nothing else the guy could do to endear himself even more to the Milanista!
Class!
Posted from
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We signed Dorfs little bro!?
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/blogs/sw44.html
Posted from
United Kingdom -
Avia, I hate to admit it but that article is spot on. This club at times, especially in the last year, has become a bit of a circus. Digao for example would never make this club on his own, and what is he doing, using a roster spot that could have brought back Marzoratti who is playing out of his mind at the olympics. It doesnt take a genuis to decide which move is a better for the good of the club. NO offense, but screw Kaka, if one of the top reasons he is here is because his bro is too, he should be grateful and say thanks but no thanks, no other club on earth would give him that. Lets see Digao at Chelsea, NO CHANCE!
Posted from
United States -
is this true that we have actually signed his bro???? This is the limit…i dont care if people lynch me on this but loyalty and family values only go so far and no further…the line about ‘playing for milan being enough’ is so true - why should we have to sweeten the deal for people by getting their family and friends on our club list?
i agree with GF - screw players who feel they can take the club for a ride and screw galliani and gang for diluting the brand of the club by giving people a free meal ticketPosted from
Switzerland -
HELL YEAH SAM, GET FIRED UP. I am really fuming on this one, and I think it is a lack of class above anything else. Whatever happened to earning the jersey!!!!!
Posted from
United States -
haha agreed with Sam and GF..
Next thing you know they sign Favalli’s son..
or Simic’s cousin..
Posted from
Kuwait -
Im sure that if we delved into Milans paperwork we would find that we are secretly owned by the Disney Corp!
Sure is begining to feel like we are run by Mickey Mouse!
Posted from
United Kingdom -
If Digao’s signing was made to further the incentive for Kaka to stay put, then it’s a wise move. There is no limit to the roster though. Milan can just stick him in the reserves and sign someone else for the first team.
Posted from
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A, the problem is he isnt on roster for free he has to get paid, and he has been included on the first team on many occasions. They way I see it he takes a spot from a potential youth team player who deserves. Marzoratti was left at Empoli because he was a surplus to need, a CB a surplus to need, can you imagine the lunacy of that sentence!?
Digao should have been expendable if it meant choosing him over Marzoratti who has proved himself time and again in Serie A and Internationally, to be perfectly blunt, it is a fucking travesty.
Posted from
United States -
ALL TOGETHER…
8/12/2008 4:32:00 PM
Paolo Maldini calmly analyzed the Rossoneri’s summer. The English teams are more in shape, but with the Italian teams there was no difference. Without strikers, also, the team is always under pressure and tends to spread out too much.(on the photo: PAOLO MALDINI)
MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made by Paolo Maldini to Milan Channel’s microphones after the morning training session at the Milanello sporting center:
Paolo, how are you?
“I’m alright, during training there can be some pains, but everything gets resolved quickly.”You are doing a different preparation compared to last season…
“We are working to improve our technique and agility. During the preparations you have to try and recuperate all the things you lose during the summer period. Also, this year we are trying new exercises, some alternatives to avoid it becoming boring. The preparation is an important period, useful also to increase our attention which is never at the maximum at the start, that’s the biggest difficulty. Concerning the results of the friendlies we’ve played, we could have done better, but we also have to consider the team we’ve played against and the level of preparation.
Against Inter and Juventus the difference wasn’t evident, in fact we did better. Certainly we can improve our mental approach to the games. Also we don’t have our strikers available, which makes it difficult to score against teams like Chelsea and Manchester City. Without strikers the play changes completely and you are always under pressure. With just Paloschi available it’s not easy. Alberto is doing his job well, he didn’t go on vacation and he also has a thousand justifications even though he played two good matches. The play is penalised because the midfielders push forward and move away from their positions, everything becomes more difficult.”Paolo, tonight the Champions League preliminary matches… did you think about that?
“Yes, I’ve thought about it, and I’m sorry, but now it’s over, it’s an old story.”Yesterday Dario Simic moved to Monaco.
“Dario is a very nice lad, we have won a lot and celebrated together, but it’s normal that at his age, with less playing time, he wants to play. Our profession is nice, but if you don’t have the satisfaction of playing matches, the trainings and the work don’t give you enough satisfaction.”
===============gian, marzoratti is not at the olympics. nevertheless, digao hasnt done enough to earn his stripes at milan…
and also, try to read the tactics Maldini is trying to point out in regards of our lack of attackers. we are constantly under pressure and it changes everything.
Posted from
United States -
BTW, prandelli takes his love for the viola too far…today he’s wearing a purple T-shirt and who can forget his lovely purple leather jacket of last season!
Posted from
Switzerland -
gila upto his antics - 2 amazingly close shots missed tho fiorentina dominating the game completely - kuzmanovic and santana playing fab
Posted from
Switzerland -
he’s made up for it tho - good header in from a corner - wah, i want him back!
i know none of u are too interested in the game but am sitting at home on a tue night with nothing better to do, so bear with me!Posted from
Switzerland -
If i didnt have to work I would be tuned as well.
Posted from
United States -
Gilardino must have hung out too long with Pippo, he was way offsides today!
Posted from
United States -
Family signings don’t always work out, true, but remember that Maldini was a nepotism signing too!
Posted from
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Alex,the fact that Paolo is the first name that comes to mind when anyone mentions the name Maldini is the biggest testament that the son made it on his own. And if Digao or seedorf’s bro were half as good as Maldini then by all means YES to singing them, otherwise Milan is not a family reunion venue.
Posted from
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