2008-2009 football(soccer) thread - Page 68

ROME (AFP) — Twenty-four years of glorious San Siro service come to an end on Sunday when AC Milan great Paolo Maldini finally bids farewell to his adoring home fans.

Twenty-four years is how long Maldini has been pulling on the famous red and black shirt of Milan, during which time he has won an incredible number of trophies.

Since making his debut in 1985, the 40-year-old has won the Champions League five times, the Italian title seven times and the Italian Cup, surprisingly, only once.

His reign as captain and lynchpin for Milan has defied all odds in the modern game during an era when the pace and power of football has rendered long careers a rarity.

And what has made Maldini's career even more remarkable is that his own father Cesare was also a Milan stalwart during the 1950s and 1960s.

His swansong on Sunday will end, for the time being at least, a magnificent and long family tradition with the club, the only one for which he has turned out since his professional debut as a 17-year-old.

But he didn't just bristle for Milan, he has also earned an Italian record 126 caps for his country, while setting another record in turning out more than 900 times for Milan.

The only record to taint his otherwise unblemished career is the lack of success Italy enjoyed during his reign.

Quite unlike his glittering -- in terms of the trophies he won -- club career, his international experience has been barren.

He did at least play in both the World Cup and European Championship finals but Brazil denied him in 1994 and France did so again in 2000.

And when Italy landed the World Cup in 2006, 24 years since their last victory, Maldini was already in international retirement.

But his greatness and place in footballing history should not just be marked by victories.

He has always been an example to all, in his manner of playing and in his off-field demeanour.

For an Italian football star he has also been an exception for the lack of tantrums, fits and controversy following him around.

That's perhaps less surprising given that he played his whole career in defence, initially, and largely, as a left-back but also increasingly in recent years in the centre.

In fact it was in the centre of the back-line that he gave perhaps his most accomplished and important performance of all, in the 1994 European Cup final.

In that Milan were missing both their first choice centre-halves through suspension but Maldini filled in admirably and while the game is remembered mostly for Milan's swashbuckling attacking display that swept them to a stunning 4-0 victory, it was on the foundation of a formidable defensive effort.

Maldini kept the dream attacking line-up of Romario and Hristo Stoichkov quiet throughout the evening and Milan shocked the footballing world.

But perhaps his greatest achievement was in fact the lack of animosity shown to him.

Even Inter Milan's fans, the most likely to hate Maldini, were moved to pay hommage to him during the last, and Maldini's last ever, Milan derby.

"That was a wonderful surprise. On a human level I think that was one of the most satisfying experiences I've ever had," he said of the incident.

Maldini's impact will possibly only be felt at its most once he has left and his team-mates will certainly sense his absence greatly.

"The thing that has always impressed me about Paolo is that after every goal, no matter where he is on the pitch, he always runs over to celebrate with the scorer. Without fail, I think that's great," said Brazilian Kaka.

Sunday probably won't be Maldini's last game as unless he is booked or sent-off he will make his farewell at Fiorentina a week later.

But Sunday will be the day when his own fans -- 80,000 strong -- will get the chance to say goodbye and thank you.

Because Maldini is sure that he will never come back as a coach.

"I'm going to have a long holiday, until September and then I don't know but one thing is for sure, I'll never be a coach," he said.