More Maldini, Or: We Know He’s Old And Broken, But Who Cares?
By: Martha | May 16th, 2007
Well, it’s official: Carlo Ancelotti announced today that one Paolo Maldini (you may know him as “God”) has signed a contract extension to keep him with Milan for another season.* Hurrah!
Of course, when I say “Hurrah!” I mean “I love Maldini and am thrilled to bits we’ll have him around to look at and listen to for another season,” not “Oh, this is great for Milan because he’s such a key, reliable part of their team.” Because, as we’ve discussed before, the man can hardly walk — how many games, realistically, could he possibly play next season? Don’t get me wrong here, I hope he plays all of every game and leads Milan to another Champions League title in 2007-2008, but it seems much more likely he’ll spend most of his time in the stand, with only periodic (wonderful) guest appearances on the pitch. The poor man has the knees of a 195-year-old, and even his desire and Milan’s magical treatment for the aged probaly won’t be able to do much about that.
Whether he’s in the stand, on the operating table, or on the pitch, though, the presence of Paolo Maldini is to be celebrated; full marks to Milan for knowing he’s more important than his in-game production and keeping him around for as long as possible.
*For what it’s worth, Maldini himself says he’s come to an agreement with Galliani but hasn’t actually signed anything. Carlo apparently is a little over-excited but, really, can you blame him?
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Hurrah for Maldini!
Best of luck to his knee!Hopefully (fingers and toes crossed) he can play in the CL final.
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United States
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I understand his desire to stay in the game, but is him hobbling around for as many minutes as he can really beneficial to the club? Seriously, Maldini is going to have worse knees than Dick Butkus (played one or two seasons too long and could barely walk at 40) after another season.
Posted from
United States -
My wish for a week from today: To see Paolo Maldini left the champions league cup.
Posted from
United States -
As you say, this is about so much more than whether or not he will be fit to play. Even with the knee operation, I doubt that he will spend much time on the pitch, but the very fact that he will still be there, as Captain, as inspiration, and as, hell, nothing short of a divine entity in a #3 shirt will help see Milan forward.
The day he leaves the team will be a diminishing day indeed. Whenever that day may come, I will still not be ready for it.
Posted from
United Kingdom
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