Paolo Maldini is one of the most consistent players I've seen. He was not a dirty player and never had huge dips in form which is remarkable for a man who played more than 1,000 professional games.
This video analyzes his performance in a very demanding position: Left Back -- against a very demanding rival at the time. Inter Milan were on top of the league and had not lost throughout the whole first half of the season. Watch how Maldini fared against AC Milan's bitter rivals.
There's Difference between playing Strongly Aggresive and Being Dirty. And Maldini was the perfect example his tackles were so strong and Aggresive but always gets the ball first
@Anime.Headquarter Exactly it's people just don't get that. Maldini played against Zlatan in his prime whereas Maldini was in his late 30s and gave him a tough time. Ramos on the other hand in his prime gets destroyed by Zlatan in his 40s xd
@@games4adult wtf
@Anime.Headquarter Exactly, Ramos looked to injure people. Maldini's tackles were rarely dangerous.
With studs showing
@Anime.Headquarter Maldini was class. He was extremely athletic in his youth but later learned how to play more intelligently to lengthen his career. He was a defender. He could play anywhere in the backline.
Maldini won 5 Champions League Titles with Milan in 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2007. He also played in World Cup 1994 final against Brazil and Euro 2000 final against France. An absolute Football Legend.
He would have won that WC in 2006 if he didn't retire early from international football
@@thesmrsnnif South Korea weren't in the 2002 wc he would have won it
@@Joseph-ef7sh you mean if SK didnt buy it ;;;;; That dirty Ref never worked ever again in FIFA... I wonder why.
he won 3 UCL's i believe but its still a giant achievement
@@a_guestman1877 he won 5
What a crazy lineup filled with legends everywhere. Maldini, Nesta, Dida, Seedorf, Gattuso, Pirlo, Kaka, Inzaghi, Brazilian Ronaldo, Julio Cesar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Zanetti, Maicon, Materazzi, Patrick Viera, Cambiaso, Figo, Crespo and Ancelotti in the dugout 🤯
Mancini too
Esse era o verdadeiro calcio meus amigos. E que bicicleta do Maldini no final. Melhor defensor que ja vi.
ronaldinho, gilardino,emerson, thiago silva (defender), pato, gurcouf (not writing right his name), ben alfa,
All of them called San Siro home
Most were well past their bests at this point in time. Keeping all these legends around into their late 30s/early 40s was part of the reason Italian football hit the doldrums so badly in the 2010s, Milan especially
I mean, I wouldn't say Maldini is solely at fault for Inter's second goal. Midfield was really passive in that play. No real support.
His clearance header was a bit short but that was just good anticipation by Cambiasso with Ambrosini asleep on the play
@@mistergray9664 yeah. Maldini definitely has some responsability for the goal but not all of it
Fair points!
correct. Plus it was a really weak shot and dida should have definetly saved it...
@@humanbeing654 its hard for dida, i think his sight was blocked by the defenders. He cant really see the ball
Inter fan here! A derby is always a derby no matter the circumstances! Huge respect for Maldini, he was, like Zanetti, versatile reliable and a true captain up until the very end 💪💪 He will forever be the greatest defender ever to my mind (and for many others too) 💪💪
Maldini is bigger than Zanetti
@@mahranyousef6897 Bro... I didn't compare anyone. I stayed some facts. Maldini is the best defender of all times, no one can deny that. But this doesn't mean Zanetti wasn't a great player in his own merit, with comparable, if not better versatility and also similar captain skills, reliability and longevity. Much like Totti or Del Piero. They were some of the very few in a small category , real flags for their respective clubs. They were LEGENDS of the '90s-00s, and still and forever will be fair their respective clubs. Every big Italian team had one who was respected by everyone. Good luck finding one today.
@@GEORGIOSMGEORGIADIS4 Speaking of versatility, Maldini wasn’t comparable both as LB or CB dear. He even played as a libero sometimes during the Capello era.
@@mahranyousef6897 yeah of course, Maldini could play all 4 defense positions equally excellently and Zanetti could play either on both flanks, as defensive and central midfield as well as down both wings.
@@GEORGIOSMGEORGIADIS4 yeah I’m a milan fan and agree completely. Zanetti was incredibly versatile and long-standing, much like Paolo. il capitano is the goat defender and zantetti is a legend of the game who achieved so much and was an icon. No need for comparison.
Name one defender at 39 who was as good as him
No-one buddy . This era's greatest centre backs are none other than sir Paulo Maldini and Sergio Ramos Garcia. Like they both have the most biggest longevity as defenders. Both are my idols🐐
Maybe Thiago Silva will compete? He is 38 now
@@MirkoS1995 yeah bro , forgot his name , my bad.
Me
Thiago Silva is 38 now if he doesnt injure himself he will also still play on a great level next year at 39
Maldini was an Italian legend, he never went after players , he was always going straight for the ball with clean tackles and direct recovery slides Greatest defender ever.
Was? he still IS a legend
No bro ...... sergio ramos is the best defender of all time 😮😮😮
@@RahulDarax you are probably a kid lmao
@@sonofgod45 uncle 🤡🤡🤡
@@RahulDarax lmao a kid saying that a red card merchant is better than a goat defender who pocketed legendary players
The GOAT defender. Top 5 players ever!
Absolutely
The best ever
Baresi was better than Maldini, so was peak Nesta.
Beckenbauer clear
Baresi was a better cb but maldini is still the best defender ever, nesta is far behind
To describe Maldini greatness there's only one thing to point out. He was able to be one of the greatest LB of all time despite being right footed 🎙️🫳
He's ambidextrous Dude
@@BM_Plag he's right footed in his early career
@@sevenstarofheavenoh really? This is new to me
or, He played in every legends era
@@BM_Plag he's a trained ambidexterous, not a natural one
No defender was as good-looking yet aggressive on the pitch as Paolo Maldini. His accurate tackles and great pace could wreck havoc on any talented striker. He was an absolute beast
Maldini, Stam, Dida, Shevchenko, Nesta, Seedorf; Inzaghi, Pirlo, Gattuso, Kakà, Cafú, Rui Costa, Crespo/Gilardino... this team was insane, but if you look other teams of that time (Barça, Madrid, Chelsea, Juve, Inter, ManU, Arsenal, Liverpool, etc), you will see will end of 90s - beginning of 2000 was the best football era.
agree!
veron?
Maldini was strong and fair, he was never dirty. Across his quarter of a century career, he only got 3 red cards
He deserved a world cup. Such a shame
Fun fact Paolo aveva ricevuto una chiamata da uno dei dirigenti della nazionale di unirsi alla squadra però lui aveva rifiutato perché pensava fosse sbagliato prendersi il merito dopo che aveva lasciato la nazionale. La vergogna è che non abbia mai vinto un pallone d’oro perché la gente ai tempi preferivano gli attaccanti ai difensori
Fr
he should have played then
@@lukebruce5234 He was almost 40. I don't blame him for giving younger players a chance
The leader and the legend. A true multi-generation player, one of the best defenders in history.
Good performance for his age. I would like to see your analysis of his games in season 2002/2003- 2003/2004, impressive defender in those years.
We even forget that during those seasons he was 34-35 years old. Amazing legend
Finished 3rd in Ballon'dor in 2003. Crazy
his famous saying was, once u have to go down for a tackle the u have already making a defensive mistake. he was slow towards the end, which Milan make him play more to centre back. plus milan was playing 4-1-2-1 which needs fast attacking fullback rather than defensive one. but his winning aura and leadership makes the team weaker just with him not being on the pitch, which become more obvious after his retirement. Thats why ibrahimovic was brought in later even if he is old. Such a legend player
3:15 Not really his mistake, Ambrosini should have stayed deeper.
I know that I have witnessed one of the best defenders of all time. As a Rossonero, Maldini was our spiritual guide, the essence of AC Milan. Always clean, punctual, elegant, rough but fair. He had an incredible technique, the kind that many midfielders today would dream to have. As a defender, he was able to do incredible tackles, terrific advances on the ball, both on the air and on the ground. Theo Hernandez is incredible for pace and strength, but he has 50% technical skills of Maldini.
Theo probably has closer to 70% of the technical skill but he's more rough and less elegant. Their main difference is defending. Theo relies on his power to defend. But I've never seen Theo consistently win 1 on 1s as cleanly as Maldini.
Theo better shooting and scoring. That's about it
@@acruzro95 I agree that he's probably better at shooting, but do not forget that Theo is a lefty. Maldini was able to play with both feet and this gives a wingback several solutions. WIth Theo i have noticed that opponents usually tries to press him ASAP in order to let him do the safest choice which is passing back.
This is far better than all defenders today
My all time favourite player. I'm not ashamed to Say that I almost tear up when I watch him play.
He was 39 already but still he could keep up with the younger players amazing the best defender ever
The best left back ever was a right footer…. I didn’t know this until he retired
Lahm was another right footed player who was a baller at LB. Though he eventually moved to RB at the age of 25-26.
I once thought fifa made mistake on his weak foot
1:40 Bergomi con l’Inter è sempre stato inascoltabile,intervento pulitissimo anche se aggressivo,Bergomi “eh prende anche la palla però non so”😂😂😂
Infatti vede solo lui che prende il piede.. É palla piena!
Non tocca MAI il piede e prende 10 volte il pallone. Replay chiarissimo e intervento pulitissimo, cristallino, bellissimo. L'oggettività di Bergomi.
They don’t make defenders like this anymore because defending isn’t as much a priority as ball skill. Interesting developments as things evolve but I’ll always have a soft spot for this all time great Italian defending!
That tackle with Macon was world class
Look at both teams, both full of legends.
The fact that he won the UCL that season is mind blowing
Would love to see a review of Pepe at 41 Much respect for both
Pepe is a monster indeed. Criminally underrated
@@miguelporras8366 Pepe is impressive in his own rights but he can't touch Maldini. Not for technical skills and not for fairness.
That tackle on Maicon was aggressive but clean 👏
Паоло Мальдини - икона защитника, величайший!
Absolute GOAT of defending. There is no argument. He was class going forward as well.
The most complete defense player in football history.
very well made
Playing a defender, until 39 is such an impressive thing on it’s own. And even more when you see how much did that guy hold up
The timing broo.. That's talent + experience
Mann i love theze videos bro/ uncle , i lovd seria a but i wasn't born at that time.
The best. A majestic and wonderful talent that was beautiful.
Maldini my idol❤😢
Even not at the peak of his powers, maldini was still better than most world class defenders now 💀
In 2007 he was the captain of the champions league winning AC Milan. Who would look down on him even though he was 39 years old?
How precise he mark and intercept the ball..
No dirty tackles. Beauty. He made defending look like art.
I was like maldini .. clean and strong ...he was my rolemodel❤️💪
🐐 defender ❤
1:22 wow! wow! wow!
Love your channel! How are you feeling with the UCL performance this year? They had some good matches so far.
It’s worth recalling that Milan and Maldini were European champions at the time for the 7th (Milan) and 5th time (Maldini)
veri nais, the inter himn in the background when he comeso on
This video is aboult Maldini. Go ahead and read all the comments talking about Messi and CR7:
Javier Zenetti shaking hands with maldini was nostalgic
most honest review ever seen. Exactly consistent from the title, video & comment awesome!!!
2.58 Maldini had no weak foot. Maldini had no weakness from first game till his last. A terrific player all day long. One if not the best defenders of last 50 years.
You know you're the greatest of all time when your biggest rivals and enemies give you a guard of honor❤️🖤
If he was that good at 39, imagine him at his peak
One of the Finest Player of all time... Italy having HISTORY of producing best defenders like Baresi, Nesta and many more....
whats crazy is how his performance here is on a similar level to your average leftbacks performance in a league game. From what this vid showed honestly 4 or 5/10 rating which for a 39 playing at fullback is ridiculous. He doesn’t look too fast or deadly here but still looks defensively solid. That header was a mistake but the attacker was unmarked and had far too easy of a shot afterwards that I can’t put full blame on maldini.
I wouldn't even say the Inter goal was his fault. The midfielder was kind of asleep and didn't anticipate the second ball.
Maldini the goat , goalkeeper has also huge responsibility on the goal
Maldini when he is feeling it can make your life a LIVING HELL… you would be lucky to even get 10 yards past him.
I dont think the goal was Maldinis fault only. The player he headed the ball didnt come closer but stayed still and he had a player coming behind. Bad awareness by him allso.
Legend
Great assist to Cambiasso! Maldini was the greatest left wing for Inter Milan!
Favorite and best defender of all time
Can we talk about the ELEGANCE of his defending.
gold
Unbelievable player
Oh Captain, My Captain ❤🖤
It's different when you're a legend
Hopefully times have changed but fullback was traditionally the lowest status/lowest paid position in the game. I made left back my own in amateur football - everyone else wanted to be attacking players but full back is a great position, you are always involved. Throw ins, short goal kicks/roll outs from the keeper and you generally got more space to play and affect the game.
fullback is one of the harder positions to play. Especially in the modern game where top level fullbacks are expected to be solid defensively and strong going forward
Nah goalkeeper is the worst one. When I was younger, the worst ones were given that position.
LOL even the commentator talks about the terrible MISTAKE by the Milan keeper, he totally butchered saving an easy shot, Maldini's deflection was unlucky, but the error was the keeper's.
The goal is not his fault. The midfielder has to win the second ball
Now some kids say Pepe and Ramos are great defender They are good but not great, great defender always sweep the ball cleanly
That was amazing at 39 years old !
Best ever!!!
Ancelotti e Maldini vs Mancini e Zanetti, che bel momento.
Il giusto tributo per uno dei più grandi terzini di sempre...interista docet!
Players used to get injured by his clean agressive tackles
maldini is something else
🐐
Such a shame that a player of his career and category couldn’t lift the World Cup, even though he wasn’t on the squad in that Italy 2007 team, they still won. In that time he was still one of the best full backs, as shown in the video. Funny though, had he been called to that WC, Fabio Grosso wouldn’t get the call (key player in that wc run) Now the question is Had he been called in that squad, would that team eventually go on and win as well? Maybe in the multiverse
As a neutral i love both zanetti and maldini. Textbook example of how a captain should be.
Cleanest defender of all time
1:25 what a tackle
Bro keep up with these videos!! Let’s get a Ramos at rb 👀
ramons i mediocre dude was a foul machine
tIt's even more amazing when you realise this is PRIME MAICON, which was alognside Alves, the best RB in the world by a good margin in those years
Best times of Serie A.
Maicon going down like that when Maldini didnt even touch him is hilarious
Reminder that Maldini was still a regular starter for AC Milan at the age of 40. Meanwhile, today´s players usually leave European top clubs once they reach their mid-30s and go to the MLS, the Middle East or China/Japan (pretty much always for the money). Just look at CR7, while Messi and Benzema could follow him soon (I hope not, but I am not too optimistic).
Pepe Still Plays Like Monster 💀
Tbh that wasnt a fail of Maldini, he just cleared. The other defender who was marking the guy who shot and the others who was in box was the problem. They should ve tried to block or tackle him.
No defender will ever be like him. Consistent from 16 to 41
so you are telling me that 39 years old maldini pocketed the best right side in euorpe at the time by himself
Tbf to Maldini for that goal, the guy who supposed to receive the headed ball got completely caught out and wasnt really aware of his surroundings.
Goat of defending
Left back defender as a complete player, rare.
The Greatest
greatest defender of the last several generations
why did they get a guard of honour?
Zlatan was there when Maldini performed his last match and Maldini returned the favor by watching him when Zlatan performed his last match ❤
Scary but clean af