AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini has spoken at length about a number of different issues including his beginnings as a right winger, why he will never be a head coach and also some intricacies regarding Rafael Leao.
It was a dramatic summer for Milan that began with the final game of the season when Zlatan Ibrahimovic sprung his retirement on everyone during an emotional post-game ceremony.
Then less than 48 hours after that win against Verona, it was confirmed that Maldini and his right-hand man Ricky Massara were being relieved of their duties as the technical and sporting director, plunging the project into doubt.
Maldini has been linked with other director roles since such as a club in Saudi Arabia and even Manchester United but for now he appears to be enjoying his time off.
Maldini was a guest on Giacomo Poretti’s PoretCast and he opened up on various topics such as trying to sign Lionel Messi, Rafael Leao’s development, his failed career as a coach and what he might do as a future, with his comments relayed by Radio Rossonera.
“As a kid at Pio X I auditioned for Milan and they asked me ‘what role do you have?’. I replied ‘what role is there?’. The right wing was free so I started right wing. In the report about me they wrote ‘he never stays still’ and they took me,” he said.
“I focus on discipline. You have to live a life with clear objectives, you have to be very competitive, many people would like to take your role. Usually those who are very talented tend to work less, but to reach a certain level it is essential to have discipline.
“I started with Baresi and Bergomi and ended with Pato and Pirlo. I have experienced several generations of footballers. The generations have not changed but the pressure has changed – for the worse. Social media creates a lot of expectations for them.
“The 2002 World Cup? I already knew that it would be my last experience with the national team, so for me leaving meant interrupting that beautiful thing that was the national team. Playing for Italy, hearing the anthem, is an overwhelming experience.
“End it with the referee Moreno… In 2002 the teams didn’t meet to shake hands. Tommasi had the habit of shaking hands with the referee, but he refused, there we understood something… We really said a lot to him.
“I started playing quite young, when you get to the dressing room you realise how you are, whether well or not, it’s all a question of tension. We also had derbies in the Champions League, do you remember? (laughs) In that case the tension was at its highest levels. Then later when you are of a certain age you just wait for that match.
“When you lose a World Cup final or a semi-final against Maradona it’s not easy, even with Milan in Istanbul, I scored after 40 seconds. After the goal I thought: ‘Strange evening, to score in the Champions League final after 40 seconds…’.
“When they ask me what I miss, I say the environment of the dressing room and that mixture of fear and emotion before the match, the contact and adrenaline of the people. 80 thousand people is a lot. I’m the one who has played the most derbies of all.
“There is a huge difference between a player and a manager. In one you ‘suffer’ the result and in the other you ‘determine’ it. I was in a lot of pain and agitated. Ricky Massara, on the other hand, suffered but in silence (laughs).
“I will never be a coach! I saw my dad who always had his suitcase ready. Then maybe you meet some President who’s a bit like that… I didn’t feel like it. When I stopped I knew what I didn’t want to do.
“Leao is a great talent, regardless of whether he is a footballer, a model or a singer, he has something important. He asked me if he could release his album two days before the match, I told him it wasn’t a problem but he should have scored two goals on Saturday, he didn’t score but he made an assist (laughs).
“The best thing about these years is precisely the personal relationships, he arrived from Lille, he was a great talent but he still had to prove himself. The relationship you create with them is the best thing you have left, more than the trophies and matches won. They are always personal relationships, you make yourself available to train these kids.
“My future? Every now and then I think about it, when I lost my parents I faced that loss. When I turned 50 I thought: ‘You’re halfway there”, but maybe halfway…’ (laughs). But I’ve never had a problem with what comes next. In theory I’m retired, I’ve been taking my pension since last year (laughs).
“Sacchi? Not having been a footballer, he studied really hard to reach very high levels, he reached important heights. Guardiola is a character to study, he manages to have an impact on and off the pitch, he shapes you at 360 degrees.”
Maldini, is an asset, exemplary and committed soul. It takes courage and humbleness to accommodate his huge in circles. Loosing him means, you loose a great measure of your future. All the best super legend 🙌 Milan forever
All the best my Capitano. Nobody can step into your shoes at Milan.
You are irreplaceable.