Greatest XI of the last 25 years

#3 Centre Back: Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini has won five Champions League titles with AC Milan

Milan legend Paolo Maldini has been often described by many as the greatest defender the game has ever seen. The Rossoneri icon was an integral part of Milan’s golden period and won five Champions League medals in his 25-year-long career at the Meazza.

Maldini started off as a left-back and played there in the initial stages of his career. He shifted towards a central role as his career progressed and attained more success in that position while partnering with Alessandro Nesta. Opponents often labelled him as the toughest defender they had come up against. He was to defending what Ronaldo (El Fenomeno) was to attack, what Zidane was to playmaking. Tight marking, speed, technically gifted and one of the finest ball-playing defenders; Maldini was an epitome of versatility

Nicknamed Il Capitano by his compatriots, Maldini captained the national team for several years and reached the finals of World Cup 1994 and Euro 2000 with the Azzurri. However, on the international circuit, the footballing gods didn’t favour the San Siro legend as on both occasions, he ended up on the losing side. Even without a major laurel for Italy, his incredible performances earned him a place in FIFA’s World Cup Dream Team.

His club run, on the other hand, was almost flawless as he claimed every major trophy with Milan in his glorious tenure with the club. With 26 trophies which included 7 Serie A titles, Maldini called it a day in 2009 and his retirement was honoured by the Red and Black army as they retired his no.3 shirt.