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#3 Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini is one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game, and a footballing legend in every sense of the word.
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Maldini enrolled in AC Milan’s youth side when he was 17, and would work his way up the ranks to stage an incredible 902 appearances for the Rossoneri. The Italian was an immovable force in Milan’s defense, and formed a lethal defensive pair with Franco Baresi.
The duo kept a clean sheet ratio of 0.49, with a maximum of 22 clean sheets in a single season, and went 929 minutes without conceding a goal in Serie A. Nicknamed “Il Capitano” by the fans, it was almost impossible to get past Maldini, as his positioning and defensive acumen were second to none. Despite interest from Premier League clubs like Chelsea, as he himself revealed later, Maldini chose to retire at the club where it all began.
Paolo Maldini spent a record 25 seasons at the club and showed no signs of slowing down even as he entered his last season as a 40-year old.-The three-time Champions League and two-time European Champions Clubs Cup winner has continued his association with the club post-retirement. Maldini is currently the Technical Director at AC Milan.
#2 Francesco Totti
Taking the second spot is one of football’s legendary one-club men, Francesco Totti, who rejected a mega move to Real Madrid. Madrid president, Florentino Perez, devised the famous “Galactico” transfer policy, and Totti was regarded as a potential “Galactico,” especially when he was at the height of his powers in the 2003/04 season.
However, Totti turned down the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, because, in his own words, “They taught us in school that family is the most important thing. Did you ever hear of someone leaving his poor parents to live with rich strangers?”
Totti admitted he could have had a Champions League, Golden Ball, Golden Boot, and maybe even the Ballon D’Or under his belt had he moved to Santiago Bernabeu, but Roma was more than a club for the Italian - Roma was an emotion.
As Totti explained, “I had everything I wanted: love and passion were more important to me than winning trophies elsewhere. I put Roma ahead of myself, personal issues and a private life. Roma was everything.”
The World Cup winner would end as Roma’s most capped player - making 786 appearances for the club. “Il Gladiatore” was involved in 491 goals (307 goals, 184 assists), winning a Scudetto and two Coppa Italias with his boyhood club.
#1 Steven Gerrard
While Liverpool have historically been a big club and regained their top status in recent times, Steven Gerrard stuck with the club through an indifferent spell.
While the Premier League trophy eluded him, Gerrard captained the Liverpool side to a Champions League trophy, along with 2 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, and 2 UEFA SuperCups, among others.
The Champions League winner was regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, and it is no surprise that Real Madrid had a strong interest in Gerrard. Liverpool struggled in the Premier League, especially in the early 2010s, and found themselves outside the Champions League spot on various occasions, but Gerrard never abandoned his boyhood club.
In 710 appearances for the club, Gerrard notched up 186 goals, along with 143 assists - making him a Liverpool legend and one of the greatest in the club’s illustrious history. The Englishman admitted that he might regret his decision not to join Real Madrid when he retires and looks back on his career, but after 8 trophies and acquiring legendary status at his boyhood club - there’s little to regret for the midfield maestro.
