Paolo Maldini, an Italian retired professional football athlete, is renowned in the football world. He is currently a technical director for the Serie A team, AC Milan. In the 2022 Golden Boy ceremony, he was awarded the best European director.
Paolo Cesare Maldini played as a left-back and central defender for AC Milan and the Italy national team.
Moreover, he is considered one of the best defenders and most outstanding athletes of all time.
He spent his entire soccer career of 25 seasons representing only AC Milan. In total, Maldini has won almost 26 trophies with the club.
Some of his significant achievements were: the Best Defender Trophy, Serie A Defender of the Year Honor, World Soccer Player of the Year Award, etc.
Because of his exceptional skills, Paolo became the first-ever defender selected to be part of the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
He was one of the best captains for the Milan and Italy national teams, earning him his famous nickname, “II Capitano.“
Furthermore, after retiring, Maldini works as a technical director for A.C. Milan, his former football club. Additionally, he is also the co-owner of USLC’s Miami FC.
Now, let’s move onto the insights of the legendary football defender Paolo Maldini. First, let’s look into some quick facts about II Capitano.
Paolo Maldini | Quick Facts
Full Name | Paolo Cesare Maldini |
Birth Date | June 26th, 1968 |
Birth Place | Milan, Italy |
Age | 56 Years Old |
Nickname | II Capitano |
Religion | Christianity |
Nationality | Italian |
Education | Not Available |
Horoscope | Cancer |
Father’s Name | Cesare Maldini |
Mother’s Name | Maria Luisa De Maldini |
Siblings | Alessando Maldini, Pier Cesare Maldini |
Height | 6’1”/1.86 m/186 cm |
Weight | 85 kg/187.4 lb. |
Build | Athletic |
Shoe Size | Not Available |
Eye Color | Blue |
Hair Color | Light Brown |
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse | Adriana Fossa |
Children | Christian Maldini, Daniel Maldini |
Profession | Retired Professional Football Player |
Former Teams | AC Milan |
Net Worth | $20-$30 million |
Awards and Achievements | 5x European Cup/UEFA Champions League
7x Seven Serie A titles, Best Defender Serie A Defender of the Year Award etc. |
Merch | Jersey |
Social Media | Instagram, Facebook |
Last Update | November, 2024 |
Paolo Maldini | Early Life, Family & Education
One of the greatest defenders and athletes, Paolo Maldini, was born on June 26th, 1968, in Milan, Italy, to his proud parent,s Cesare Maldini and Maria Luisa De Maldini.
Maldini’s father, Cesare, was also a former football player who played in a defensive position just like him.
Moreover, he was also the captain of Milan and played for the Italy National Team. It is quite apparent that Paolo followed in his father’s footsteps.
After retiring, his father became a coach and coached him throughout his Italy Under-21 and Senior Team career.
Unfortunately, Paolo’s father passed away on April 3rd, 2016, at the age of 84, and his mother, Maria, also passed away on July 28th, 2016.
Likewise, Paolo has five siblings in total: two brothers, Alessando Maldini and Pier Cesare Maldini, and three sisters, whose names and whereabouts are unknown.
According to the horoscope, Maldini falls under the sun sign of Cancer. People with Cancer as their sun sign are mostly known for their protective and intuitive nature.
Age, Height, And Body Measurements
Furthermore, Maldini is 56 years old. He stands at the height of 6’1” (1.86 m) and weighs around 85 kg/187.4 lb.
He has blue eyes and light brown hair.
Paolo Maldini | Career & Profession
Early Career
Maldini started his journey with the Milan Youth side and won the Coppa Italia Primaverahonors in the 1984–1985 season. Moreover, on January 20th,1985, Paolo made his professional league under Nils Liedholm after Sergio Battistini was injured.
Furthermore, Paolo made his European competition on August 18th, 1985. He recorded his career first 29 goals in Serie A on January 4th, 1987, while playing against Italian football club Como.
Professional Career
The Immortals
Maldini won his first trophy and league titles with his club under coach Arrigo Sacchi.
Moreover, in the 1987–1988 season of Serie A, the club conceded 14 goals and finished as the best defensive team in Italy. Also, the team went on to win Serie A.
The team was given the nickname “The Immortals” in the same season.
Likewise, Paolo led the team to win the 1988 Supercoppa Italiana the following season and won the trophy of European Cup titles back-to-back in 1988–1989 and 1989–1990.
Furthermore, Maldini made his hundredth appearance in Serie A on February 19th, 1989. In 1989 and 1990, the team also achieved successive Intercontinental Cup titles and consecutive European Super Cup titles.
Paolo won the Bravo Award in 1989 for being the best under-23 football player in European Competitions.
The Invincibles
Paolo continued to be part of the club’s undefeated Serie A team, which won the 1991–1992 season championship, and altogether they had an unbeaten record of 58 league matches.
Hence, they were famous throughout the tournament as “The Invincibles”.
Moreover, in the following season, Paolo helped Milan defend the Serie A title and reach the UEFA Champions League finals.
In the same season, he scored his first-ever goal on October 21st, 1992, in the Champions League while playing against Slovan Bratislava.
Likewise, Maldini won his third Champions League title and reached the 1994 World Cup final, where he became the first defender to win the World Soccer magazine’s annual World Player of the Year Award.
While receiving his award, he stated-
“A matter of pride because defenders usually receive much less attention from fans and the media compared to goal scorers. We are more likely in the engine room rather than receiving the glory.”
After his statement, Paolo singled out captain Franco Baresi and defined him as the player who deserved the award he received.
Likewise, Paolo was the third player in the 1994 Ballon d’Or. Also, he was fifth in the FIFA World Player of the Year Award.
The next season the Milan team and Paolo won the European Super Cup and conquered their third consecutive Supercoppa Italiana.
Team Captain
After the retirement of players Franco Baresi and Mauro Tassotti after the 1996–1997 season, Paolo became Milan’s captain.
That season was quite difficult for them, but through Paolo’s exceptional leadership, the team reached the Coppa Italia finals in season 1998. Similarly, the team won the 1998–1899 Serie A title with Paolo as the team captain.
Moreover, because of Maldini’s sportsmanship and career achievements, he won the Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare “Gaetano Scirea” honors in 2002.
Likewise, Paolo won his career’s first Coppa Italia while defeating Roma during the finals. The team won the 2002–2003 Champions League with Paolo as team captain, which was also the first time.
During the European Championship game on May 28th, 2003, Paolo led AC Milan to keep a clean sheet while they defeated Juventus.
That day marked precisely 40 years since his father also held the European Cup trophy as Milan’s team captain.
Paolo and his father are one of three father-son pairs to have recorded such accomplishments to date.
Furthermore, Paolo was part of Pele’s selection, including the 125 greatest living footballers called the FIFA 100 list in 2004. In 2004, he won the honor of the Serie A Defender of the Year at the Italian footballing Awards.
You Can Get In-Depth Information About The Legendary Soccer Player Pele Net Worth, Career Earnings, House and Cars>>
Maldini As The Oldest Captain
Paolo started the next season with the 2004 Supercoppa Italiana cup as captain after the team defeated Lazio.
As a 38-year-old captain, Paolo became the oldest captain who lifted the Champions League trophy. Likewise, he was also the first European team captain who lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Moreover, during the end of 2007-2008, Maldini announced his plans to state that he would retire with “no regrets.”
However, he delayed his retirement by signing a contract extension on June 6th and was present with the team for the 2008–2009 season.
Before Retirement
Moreover, in 2008, Paolo won the FIFA Order of Merit honors and the Premio Internazionale Giacinto Facchetti honors awarded to a player who demonstrated skill and fair play throughout his career.
Paolo announced that he would retire at the end of the 2008–2009 season on April 18th, 2009. His last home match on May 24th in San Siro ended with a standing ovation by the fans.
Likewise, Paolo’s last appearance for Milan was on May 31st, 2009, against Fiorentina, where he received a standing ovation from the fans once again.
His jersey was retired by Milan. However, they stated that it would be passed to one of his sons if they ever make it to Milan’s senior team.
In Monte Carlo on August 28th, 2009, The UEFA gave a prize for Paolo’s career. Similarly, the Spanish sports newspaper Marca awarded Paolo with the “Marca Leyenda“ honors on November 17th, 2009.
International Career
Maldini started his international career in 1986 when his father called him to the Italian under-21 national team. He made his debut on November 12th, 1986.
His first FIFA World Cup was in 1990, and he appeared in all seven Italy matches. Additionally, Paolo helped Italy win five consecutive games, and he was a starting member of the defense.
Moreover, in 1990, Paolo was part of the “Team of the Tournament,” which was the same honor his father received 32 years before, during the 1962 World Cup.
At the age of 34, Paolo retired from his international football career as Italy’s most-capped player.
He scored seven international goals in home games throughout his career and spent over half his 16 years as an international team captain.
Altogether, Paolo made 23 appearances in World Cup and holds the record for most minutes played in World Cup matches (2,217 minutes).
Career Statistics
Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Minutes Played |
Serie A | 647 | 29 | 28 | 69 | 3 | 56.484′ |
Champions League | 116 | 3 | 6 | 15 | – | 9.799′ |
Italy Cup | 72 | 1 | 5 | 4 | – | 6.212′ |
UEFA Cup | 22 | – | 1 | 2 | – | 1.950′ |
European Cup | 19 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 1.800′ |
UEFA Super Cup | 7 | – | 1 | – | – | 660′ |
Supercoppa Italiana | 6 | – | 1 | 1 | – | 570′ |
Intercontinental Cup | 5 | – | – | – | – | 445′ |
Champions League Qu. | 4 | – | – | – | – | 360′ |
Club World Cup | 2 | – | – | – | – | 100′ |
Play-Out Serie A | 1 | – | – | – | – | 120′ |
After Retirement Career
In 2012, Maldini became part of the Italian Football Hall of Fame.
After his retirement, Maldini participated in the 11th Match Against Poverty held on March 4th, 2014, held in Bern, Switzerland. The proceeds raised during the game were aimed toward the Philippines’ recovery efforts during the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
Similarly, on September 1st, 2014, he participated in the “Match for Peace,” held at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome. The proceeds raised during this game were donated to charity.
Moreover, in May 2015, Paolo became the North American Soccer League’s club Miami FC co-owner.
Paolo became the second player to receive the One Club ManAward from a Spanish professional football club, Athletic Bilbao, on May 1st, 2016.
Furthermore, in August 2018, Maldini accepted an offer to become the club’s sporting strategy & development director.
His acceptance of the offer marked his comeback to the club after he retired from active football.
Maldini became the technical director of club Milan on June 14th, 2019.
Paolo Maldini | Legacy
Maldini was indeed considered a legend during his active years. His tactical versatility with both feet allowed him to play anywhere along the backline, resulting a prosperous professional career.
According to fellow retired professional footballer Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, aka Ronaldo-
“I always found it very tough when I came up against Paolo Maldini. He was one of the best defenders I faced over the route of my career. He surely deserved to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award several times over.”
Likewise, when a former Italian professional footballer, Roberto Baggio, was questioned about who he thought was the best defender that he ever faced, he stated-
“Paolo Maldini, when you saw him in front of you, you knew you would not pass. He was big. He was strong with his right foot, head, his left foot… You needed to put at least 15 players together to make one like him.”
Similarly, former Brazilian professional footballer Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, aka, Ronaldinho explained Maldini as:
“He was…best defender in the history of Champions League, but what was so remarkable about him was that when he was on the ball, he didn’t look like a defender. Instead, he looked like an elegant midfield player.”
You Might Also Want To Learn About The greatest soccer player with exceptional technical and dribbling skills, Ronaldinho>>
Paolo Maldini | Awards & Achievements
Club
- Serie A (1987–1988, 1991–1992, 1992–1993, 1993–1994, 1995–1996, 1998–1999, 2003–2004)
- Coppa Italia (2002–2003)
- European Cup/UEFA Champions League (1988–1989, 1989–1990, 1993–1994, 2002–2003, 2006–2007)
- Intercontinental Cup (1989, 1990)
- Supercoppa Italiana (1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004)
- European/UEFA Super Cup (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003)
- FIFA Club World Cup 2007
Individual
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament- (1988, 1996, 2000)
- Bravo Award 1989
- Ballon d’Or- Third place 1994, 2003
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1990, 1994)
- El País European Player of the Year 1994
- World Soccer Player of the Year 1994
- UNICEF European Footballer of the Season (1993–1994)
- FIFA World Player of the Year- Silver Award 1995
- ESM Team of the Year (1994–1995, 1995–1996, 1999–2000, 2002–2003)
- FIFA XI 2002
- Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare “Gaetano Scirea”- 2002
- UEFA Team of the Year (2003, 2005)
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team 2002
- UEFA’s Final Man of the Match 2003
- Serie A Defender of the Year 2004
- UEFA President’s Award 2003
- Premio Internazionale Giacinto Facchetti 2008
- UEFA Club Defender of the Year 2007
- Italian Football Hall of Fame 2012
- One Club Man Award 2016
- AC Milan Hall of Fame
- Walk of Fame of Italian sport 2018
- Ballon d’Or Dream Team 2020
Paolo Maldini | Net Worth
Former football legend Paolo Maldini has been playing professionally since 1987, and since his retirement, he has been working as the technical director of AC Milan.
Apart from his football career, he has worked with various famous brands. He appeared in multiple commercials of Nike.
He was also part of the EA Sports FIFA video game series and became one of the Ultimate Team Legends in a sports association game called FIFA 14.
Although the information regarding his contract details and salary has not been revealed through any sources, we can assume that he has earned an impressive amount of wealth by looking back at his very successful career.
Thus, the presumable net worth of Paolo Maldini falls around $20-$30 million.
Paolo Maldini | Wife & Children
Maldini is married to a former Venezuelan model, Adriana Fossa. The couple has been married since December 1994. Together they have two children, Christian Maldini and Daniel Maldini.
Christian was born on June 14th, 1996, and Daniel was born on October 11th, 2001. Both of his sons are footballers like himself and represent the club Milan. They represented Milan’s youth teams as well.
- Paolo has a fashion label called Sweet Years that he runs with Christian Vieri, his friend and former Italy and Milan teammates.
- Maldini had an exceptional record of 647 appearances in Serie A, which Gianluigi Buffon finally broke in 2020.
Paolo Maldini | Social Media Presence
Paolo Maldini is available for the fan on different social media. He frequently posts about his whereabouts and his works in his social media accounts.
He can be found on Instagram using the handle @paolomaldini and on Facebook @paolomaldiniofficial
Instagram: 2.2 million followers
View this post on Instagram
Facebook: 4 million followers
Paolo Maldini | Popularity
Paolo has written his name in the history of soccer. He will forever be mentioned when anyone talks about the greatest defenders of all time and a true Leader.
The above image shows the fluctuating popularity of Maldini worldwide over the year.
Paolo Maldini | FAQs
Is Maldini the best defender ever?
According to sportsbible.com polls, the fans voted Paolo Maldini the best defender of all time.
Was Maldini a left-back or a Center-back?
Maldini started his career as a left-back, and during the last final years of his career, he switched to a center-back position.
Which jersey number did Paolo Maldini wear?
Paolo Maldini wore jersey number 3 for A.C. Milan.
What age did Paolo Maldini retire?
Paolo Maldini retired at the age of 41 in 2009 after spending 25 seasons in Serie A with Milan.
Did Paolo Maldini test positive for Corona Virus?
Paolo Maldini and his son Daniel Maldini tested positive for Covid-19 in March 2020.