Maldini gesture helps children

Proud of role
The 35-year-old defender was singled out after an excellent performance at Old Trafford in May, when Milan defeated Italian rivals Juventus FC on penalties to lift the European Champion Clubs' Cup. Explaining the reasons behind his donation, Maldini said: "I would like to donate the money to UNICEF Italia because I am very proud of my role as a UNICEF ambassador. It is an important organisation."

Annual award
Each year, UEFA offers 10,000CHF, or €6,400, to the man of the match in the Champions League final to give to a charity of their choice. The UEFA technical committee decides which player will be selected.

Italian honour
Maldini is not the only Italian footballer to be a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, after AS Roma playmaker Francesco Totti followed in his footsteps by accepting a similar role in March. UNICEF - the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund – is a global organisation running positive schemes such as the 'Say Yes to Children' campaign it launched last year.