Paolo Maldini recalls father’s influence, debut at 16 and being ‘one of the biggest losers’

Paolo Maldini has spoken about his playing career with AC Milan, admitting that he owes a large part of the successes to the defeats that shaped him.

Maldini is rightly regarded by many as the greatest defender of all time, and he spent all 25 years of his senior career with his boyhood club Milan. He made his first appearance at the age of just 16, and kept playing until he was 41.

He won 26 trophies with the Rossoneri: the European Cup/UEFA Champions League five times, seven Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, five Supercoppa Italiana titles, five European/UEFA Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.

After retiring, he returned to Milan to be a director, but was dismissed from his role along with Ricky Massara at the end of the 2022-23 season. There have since been many calls for him to return again, but it seems a long way off at present.

‘I hadn’t even brought the right boots’

Maldini spoke during a brief interview with Rai 3 about his time with Milan, more specifically his debut, the derbies and his father Cesare’s legacy. MilanPress have relayed his comments.

What do you remember about your debut?

“When I made my debut, I thought I wouldn’t play. I hadn’t even brought the right boots. I had more experienced players in front of me. When he told me to come on, I didn’t think about anything else. I told the coach I could play anywhere.”

What role did your father have?

“I had a good relationship with him. In the early years, I can’t deny that his legacy weighed on me a bit.”

Did the wins also come because of the defeats?

“Success also comes through defeats. In the end, I’m one of the biggest losers as well as the biggest winners. So I was lucky enough to win while losing a lot.”

The most difficult derbies?

“The first ones, because I remember very well that after the match I was saying, ‘I didn’t like how I played.’ My nerves were too high, and I was a bit paralysed.”