Paolo Maldini (Left-back)
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Paolo Maldini was one of football’s one club men, spending the entirety of his club career with AC Milan for 25 years where he won 26 trophies. A versatile defender, he could play at both centre-back and left-back. He is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time.
The elegant Italian defender made his Euro debut in 1988, where he played all four of Italy’s games in their run to the semi-finals of the tournament. Maldini could not feature in the 1992 edition as Italy failed to make it through the qualification rounds. Maldini also played and impressed in the disappointing Euro 1996 campaign as Italy got knocked out in the group stages of the tournament.
Maldini was voted into the Euro 2000 team of the tournament as the Italian defence conceded only two goals en route to the finals. He retired from international football after the 2002 World Cup, failing to win an international trophy with Italy inspite of his brilliant performances which led Italy to the finals of both, the World Cup and the Euros.
Maldini made the European Championship team of the tournament in 1988, 1996 and 2000 after having been a rock at the centre of defence for Italy for over 20 years. He was also included in the World Soccer XI of all time in 2013.
