There surely needs to be an Italy vs Milan tribute/testimonial type game where players he played alongside for both club and country play, it would be fantastic.

Dear Paolo, it’s inevitable that we all stop playing sooner or later, but I thought you’d continue forever. You’re the great Maldini, the unbeatable, who even at 40 never lost your competitive spirit. You started to play when I was a child and I’ve never stopped admiring you. It’s said that the more we grow up the more we lose our heroes; instead with you the contrary has happened. My admiration for you has done nothing but increase with the passage of time. I admire your defensive work, your tactical sense, your sportive aggression, your way of marking rival strikers by adapting your play to their characteristics to neutralize them, your versatility, and more than any other thing, I’ve admired your way of living football, always with the maximum intensity, with an exemplary sportsmanship, values that I’ve modestly tried to interpret at my club, Barca. I’ve never heard a statement out of place, nor do I remember a bad foul on an opponent. You’ve demonstrated that to be one of the best defenders in the history of football you have never had to resort to violence. Nobody more than you has made it praiseworthy to stop people from scoring goals. As you see, you’ve always been a point of reference for me. A mirror. You taught me that, whatever the game, the player has to give everything. Your regularity has been awarded with a mountain of titles, you’ve played at the highest level for many years, both with Milan and with the Italian national team – and that’s not easy. Now that you’re leaving football, I regret never having realized one of my dreams: to play at your side. Without you, football won’t be the same. I tell you this with all my heart. With your retirement, it’s not just Milan who’s losing you but also those of us who’ve admired you and who will always admire you. I wish you a future full of happiness. With many thanks for what you have given to football and for your manner of being.
-- Carles Puyol (nb, this one was handwritten on barca stationery)

In the name of all my teammates from the national team and myself, we are grateful for what you have taught us and for all that you’ve done. With our admiration and good luck for your new challenges!!
-- Iker Casillas (also handwritten on Spanish FA stationery)

Dear Paolo, congratulations for all that you are as a footballer and a man and for being a model to imitate in all things. With respect,
-- Alex Del Piero (handwritten on Gobbi stationery)

He is a legend and has always been someone for me to look up to. His loyalty to AC Milan has been amazing and he’ll always be remembered for everyone in football’s history. Best wishes!
-- Cesc Fabregas (handwritten on Arsenal statonery)

To Paolo, One of the biggest honours in my career has been to play with you. Thank you,
-- David Beckham (handwritten on Milan stationery)

To Paolo, Congratulations on a wonderful career. You are a great ambassador for footballers across the world. It was a pleasure to share a football pitch with you. Best wishes,
-- Steven Gerrard (handwritten on dirtyrottenscouser stationery)

Honor to a loyal adversary, a champion on and off the pitch, a real man with who we’re divided by jersey colors but united in great respect.
-- Javier Zanetti (handwritten on cugini stationery)

Dear Paolo,

It’s an honor and a pleasure for me to have the chance to talk to you in a moment so important as the end of your career as a professional footballer. You’ve represented, and still represent, the profile of a footballer that I’ve always idolized. Always faithful to your club, Milan is your home it’s the continuation of your family and it’s enough to glance at your resume to understand your importance in world football.

7 scudetti, 5 Champions League cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 1 Coppa Italia along with several other trophies serve to illustrate an impeccable professional career.

To arrive at the age of 40 playing in the elite of football, as you have, is not easy. You’ve looked after your body, that you’ve lived for football, celebrating with your professionalism the work that you started at a young age, when you debuted with Milan in 1985. One time you said, ‘football is eternal youth’. I completely agree with you, Paolo.

Staying close to our work rejuvenates us and above all will give you the strength to continue with dignity in your new life. You’re a legend in Italy where you’re loved and admired. And at Real Madrid we have extraordinary respect for a man who loves football as much as you. Thank you for having made our world better. Best wishes,

-- Raul Gonzales Blanco (on Madrid stationery)

You have always been an example for me. You’re a myth. Congratulations for all that you’ve done on both the professional and personal level. With admiration,

-- Luis Figo (handwritten on cugini stationery)

What can you say about Paolo Maldini that hasn’t been said thousands of times before?

Quite simply, he is one of the greatest players the world has ever seen and a wtruly wonderful servant to a fabulous club, AC Milan, and, of course, Italy.

I was fortunate enough to play against him on more than one occasion and I say with huge pride that it was always a pleasure to be on the same pitch.

I’m sure that thousands of players will be relieved that he is finally calling it a day because any Rossoneri side in which he played posed a major threat.

I’m delighted to be asked to provide a brief tribute to mark his retirement from the game he graced for so long and I would like to take this opportunity to offer him my very best wishes for the future.

-- Ryan Giggs (on MU stationery)

Dear Paolo, I wish you a life on the same level as your carerr – full of successes and satisfaction. Football is looking a great player who has written pages and pages of history of our beloved sport. For as much as I know you, I’m sure that you’re not definitively leaving this sport and especially not this club. I wish you the best in this new phase of your life and I’m very proud of what you’ve done for Milan.

-- Cafu (on his foundation’s stationery)

Taking on a Milan without you won’t be the same any more. (PS – I’m right behind you). With friendship and affection,
-- Francesco Totti (handwritten on AS Roma stationery)

I wish you the all the very best for your retirement from your footballing career. You are a hero of mine and an inspiration to everyone in football. If I can be half the player you are, I would be very proud. Thank you and good luck,

-- John Terry (handwritten on Chelsea stationery)

This months issue of Forza Milan! magazine has a special tribute section to the great captain and legend of Milan Paolo Maldini here are some of the messages....



all translations by Fishdoll

This months issue of Forza Milan! magazine has a special tribute section to the great captain and legend of Milan Paolo Maldini here are some of the messages....



all translations by Fishdoll

I disagree with you on his defending, dst. Due to him being so good going forward, people often seem to just assume he's not so good at the back. I think he's a very good defender.

I disagree with you on his defending, dst. Due to him being so good going forward, people often seem to just assume he's not so good at the back. I think he's a very good defender.

What do you mean assume, I've watched the lad play numerous times. I think he's average at the back. It's not that he lacks anything but he does not use his qualities correctly half a dozen times in a match. He does not make big mistakes though.

'Average' in any sense isn't the word I'd use for a Euro Championship winner, in the world's best national team, playing for Real Madrid, with a get out clause of 100M, widely regarded as the best RB on earth.

What do you mean he doesn't use his qualities correctly? First off this implies he HAS the qualities, which automatically contradicts the criticism of his ability, and secondly, what on earth do you mean by it?

The fact Ramos is being talked about, by Maldini, in the Maldini thread says it all.

I love Ramos, he's fantastic. It may be homerism here, but I think he's 2nd only to Ashley Cole as Ashley edges him out a bit defensively. Cole on the left and Ramos on the right.. you wouldn't need wingers!

The fact Ramos is being talked about, by Maldini, in the Maldini thread says it all.

I've seen worse players win the World Cup, it does not mean anything. But you're right, average has to be put in a context. I don't mean average compared to every RB out there. What I meant was that compared to the other top full-backs around, his defending is not the best but not the worse either.

I did not criticize his ability. When I said he's average in defense I did not mean he lacks any qualities. He does have qualities... I think saying he does not use them correctly is pretty much self-explanatory... he's fast, he's a good tackler, has got good reflexes and his positioning is good but I don't see him use all that all the time and at the same time. Maybe he lacks concentration, I don't know.

... it's because Marca arranged a meeting between the two...

I was on your side Kurt till you dared to mention Cashly Goals.

Heresy!

Oohh, so Maldini just made up what he said then. Fool.

What did you expect Maldini to say, "what did you bring me here for, this guy is useless!"? You're so dumb!

(Fishdoll thinks you two are awfully cute when you flirt. )

He's awesome, he was also somewhat betrayed by Arsenal, I don't blame him for leaving.

Yeah, "hearing foreign languages in the dressing room" is the very essence of betrayal. Poor little Ashley.

I meant the £££ he was promised, only to be offered a deal of less. The fact that it was only £5k less is irrelevant, when you're promised something by your club you should get that. I don't think it was the extra £5k that annoyed him as such, but the principle (His first Chelsea contract was very similar to the Arsenal contract at the time which also suggests it wasn't the money). Cashley is just made up because he went to a team with lots of money. Much like people say Barry went to City for money, despite him being offered the same deal by Villa.

He hardly had to say he was his heir though did he. You're so dumb! Now STFU and GTFO.

Maldini said Ramos could be his heir... but I would not expect an idiot like you to get the difference! I heart you!

Anyone could be his heir, I could be. There's a reason he says this about Ramos though. But I would not expect an idiot like you to get that!

Yes, retard, the reason is that Ramos is a big fan of Maldini and Maldini did not want to disappoint poor lil' Ramos.

He looks happy :

I really miss him

I actually watched the documentary made on Maldini before our CL 2007 success. Zizou and Ronaldo (hell yeah, the only and only original Ronaldo) both commented about Maldini. Zizou even went on to say that he used to deliberately avoid confrontation with Maldini by drifting slightly towards left whenever Maldini was at left back position.

It was an awesome documentary, a must watch. There was a funny piece as well. Maldini said that Sacchi was so much into football that the moment he saw anything that can be used as a board, he would draw formations and start analysing them.

Importante serata, ieri sera, all’adidas Cup: tra i tanti protagonisti del torneo di calcio a sette organizzato da e per Fondazione Milan, sui campi del Centro Sportivo Masseroni Marchese era presente juna pagina della storia rossonera, Paolo Maldini. Autore di 3 gol, Paolo ha permesso alla formazione di Master Group Sport, di mantenere il terzo posto in classifica.