Two decades of brilliance

By Paolo Menicucci

The 20 January 1985 was a cold and windy day at the Friuli stadium. It was there that former AC Milan coach Nils Liedholm turned towards Cesare Maldini's 16-year-old son and asked him which position he wanted to play in.

Auspicious debut
"I would like to play as right-back," replied the shy teenager - not everyone knows that he is actually right-footed. The subsequent match between Udinese Calcio and Milan ended in a 1-1 draw, but that game will always be remembered as the debut of one of the finest defenders in the history of football.

Landmark win
Two decades on, Paolo Maldini is as fit as he was in that winter day in Udine. Last Sunday he celebrated 20 years in football with a 3-1 win against Udinese - the side against whom he made his debut. He did it by playing with his usual passion, strength and style at left-back, the position he occupied for many years before becoming a top central defender.

Universal acclaim
The defender was given an enormous ovation by a stadium draped in banners in his honour. Despite having only played for Milan during his career, respect for Maldini is universal in Italy and goes far beyond club rivalry. The whole country was united in celebrating with the former Azzurri captain.

Shining example
Hardly surprising as Maldini is a player who played in four FIFA World Cups and three UEFA European Championships and has won everything a player can hope to win - seven Serie A titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, four UEFA Super Cups, one Coppa Italia, four Italian Super Cups and two European/South American Cups.

Maldini touched
"I am celebrating 20 years at my club, in my city and at the club that my father played for," a touched Maldini said after the game against Udinese. "This will be a good story to tell my grandsons." At 36, he is not ready to retire, though his contract expires in 2006. "I still love playing football. Milan told me I can extend my contract whenever I want but I promise I won't sign for more than another year," he joked.

'Perfect professional'
"I think he can keep on playing until he's 40 considering his physical condition," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti. "He is an icon in the world of football and deserves everything he has achieved during his wonderful career. He will not be remembered only for the results, but also for his behaviour on and off the pitch. He has always been an example of the perfect professional."

Uncertain future
Maldini admitted he has not yet decided what to do when he finally hangs up his boots. "I have been wondering what to do afterwards for three years and I still haven't come up with an answer," he said. However he will not follow his father's footsteps. "Coaches suffer too much so I have no intention of becoming a coach," he said.

Finest hour
The defender's finest hour came in 2003 when he emulated his father by captaining Milan to a European Cup win, as the Rossoneri defeated Juventus FC at Old Trafford. "It was my first cup as captain and I will never forget that moment," he said. "It's impossible even considering quitting football when I think that there is a chance to have such incredible moments again."

Once more
Milan fans will be hoping for at least one more great victory with their captain. Twenty years after his debut, it is impossible to imagine a momentous Milan moment without Maldini.