AC Milan director Paolo Maldini has reflected on the Champions League finals he was a part of and his family’s legacy at the club in an interview with UEFA.
The former Rossoneri captain played for the club from 1984 through until 2009, racking up well over 600 appearances and winning 25 major honours.
Maldini spoke to UEFA about his achievements within the game and his most memorable moments as a player, and the video was shared on Milan’s official Facebook.
MilanNews.it transcribed some of his statements…
“From 1954 to today, there has only been a few years without a Maldini in the club: first there was my dad, then I was there and then my children arrived too.
“In my career I played in all four defense roles. I was always ambidextrous, but I had to work to improve. In all four defense positions I achieved results.”
On the Old Trafford final: “We’d had eight years without being in the final, then came the final in Manchester, which was perhaps our worst game. In that Champions, we played in everything 19 games and I played them all.”
On the Istanbul final: “It was the most difficult match of all the finals I played. I scored the fastest goal of the Champions League finals. Football is unpredictable, nothing is taken for granted.
“That game left an important mark, we were favorites and we played better. We always kept the game in our hands. They are painful things, but when you accept them then it’s easier to have another chance.”
On Athens 2007: “I remember a few things about that game: the start, Inzaghi’s goals, the end and a bit of the party. When I had surgery three days after the final, every time I woke up I wondered how the game went. After a few seconds of panic, I remembered that we had won, so I could go back to sleep peacefully.
“My relationship with Milan was born in 1978 and has not yet ended. Since the 50s the Maldini family has been part of this club and this means a lot.
“My secret? The desire to improve and not to look over my shoulder. I don’t like looking at what I did, but I always look to the future. This is also the secret of Milan.”
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