Why Paolo Maldini is the greatest defender of all time

Paolo Maldini, a legendary name in the world of football, was a world-class player throughout his entire career, spanning over two decades. He was a formidable opponent for any attacker who came up against him. Throughout his career, Maldini faced all the best players of his time – from Maradona in the ‘80s to the Messi-Ronaldo period, which began at the far end of his career. He earned victories over nearly all of them, he universally acknowledges as the greatest left-back of all time. TotalSportek is a dream stream that provides free streaming for soccer fans all around the world. Fans benefitted from multiple totalsportek.soccer streams as they open their stream if one of them is not working.

AC Milan's defense and Paolo Maldini Achievements

For more than two decades, Maldini has been the mainstay of AC Milan's defense, earning them numerous domestic and international honors. The work of Paolo Maldini began his career at AC Milan in 1985 and soon established himself as one of Italy's most promising young players. He made his Serie A debut at the age of just 16 and played 25 seasons for the Rossoneri.
Maldini’s legacy recognizes with numerous awards and accolades, including the FIFA World Cup Dream Team, UEFA Team of the Year, and Serie A Team of the Century. In 2019, Maldini was appointed technical director of AC Milan, where he continues to work to this day. There are many reasons why Paolo Maldini is widely regarded as the greatest defender of all time.

1: World-class Right from His Introduction

Maldini broke into Milan’s first team at the age of 16. Within two years, he was competing in European competitions and performing against the best footballers of the day. He won his first Champions League trophy in the 1988-89 season and then proceeded to defend the trophy alongside Franco Baresi, Mauro Tassotti, and Costacurta with a 1-0 win over Benfica. By then, he had also made his senior national team debut (at 19), already having been blooded into Italy’s youth setup under his father and Italian football legend Cesare. Maldini’s elite defensive skills came into notice before he turned 23 years old – he is one of the few defenders to have won two Champions League trophies by that age.

2: Won Almost Every Trophy There Is to Win

Maldini has won multiple league and cup titles. He also has the distinction of being the most decorated defender in the European Cup/Champions League, having won in ‘89, ‘90, ‘94, ‘03, and finally, in the Istanbul, revenge match against Liverpool the 2006-07 season. Seven Serie A titles, five Champions League crowns, a Coppa Italia, five editions each of the European and Italian Super Cups, as well as three Club World Cup/Intercontinental Cup titles, populate Maldini’s decorated CV, which would hold its own against almost any in European football history.

3: His Colleagues Hold Him in the Highest Esteem

Throughout his career, Maldini faced some of the most dangerous strikers, wingers, and attacking midfielders in Europe. Many of his opponents have acknowledged Maldini as the best defender they ever faced back in their day. Even Ronaldinho, the Brazilian magician, remarked that Maldini and John Terry were the two toughest opponents. Maldini is not alone in his adulation for the man. He is one of the few players to ever hold his own while marking Ronaldo Nazario in those epic Milan derbies of the late 1990s.

4: His Longevity Is Incomparable in Football History

Maldini began his professional career in 1985 and for 25 years, he was almost the same player when we talk about his fitness and endurance levels. Such consistency over such an incredibly long period (Maldini has 902 appearances for club and country) has only been shown by the greatest players of all time. While Maldini had several injury-hit seasons during the latter stages of his career, his overall quality was always taken for granted by every Milan manager that he played under.

5: His leadership and professionalism were excellent

Maldini was not only a great player but also a leader on the pitch. He led Milan to many domestic and European titles for many years. He was a powerful leader and earned respect from teammates and opponents alike. A professional model, he always worked hard to maintain his fitness to be the best and improve his skills.

6: Played his entire career for the same club

Maldini spent his entire career at Milan, a rarity in modern football. At the age of 10, he joined the club's youth system and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming one of the club's greatest players. His loyalty to the club was commendable and he always put Milan's interests above his own. He could have easily gone to another club for more money or success, but he chose to stay in Milan and build a legacy that remembered for generations.

7: He was a role model for future generations

Maldini was not only a great player but also a role model for the next generation of footballers. His skill, dedication, and commitment to the sport were an inspiration to many young players. He was also a great sports ambassador, always conducting himself with dignity and respect on and off the field. He was a true icon of the game and set a standard that many players aspire to.
In the late 80s and early 90s, he played a pivotal role in helping AC Milan become a dominant force in European football. Maldini's on-field leadership and tactical understanding were crucial to AC Milan's success. In 2002, Maldini won his fifth Champions League title, and his leadership was crucial to the team's success. Despite being 34 at the time, Maldini played a pivotal role in Milan's defense called the best defender in the competition. Click now on TotalSportek and enjoy access to multiple totalsportek streams. As TotalSportek is worldwide famous and provides mobile-friendly features which keep people using it from anywhere anytime.

Retirement of Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini retired from football in 2009 at the age of 41, having played more than 900 games for AC Milan. His retirement marked the end of an era in which he remains one of the most iconic players in AC Milan's history. Maldini was not only a great player, but also a humble and gracious individual who inspired respect and admiration on and off the pitch. Download TotalSportek Now! to entertain yourself.