Daniel Maldini is adding the next chapter to his impressive family story. The third generation has now become part of the national team. This has never happened in Italy. This is rare internationally, but not unique.
The name Maldini undoubtedly has a special ring in Italy’s football world. First and foremost, he stands for wonderful defensive skills, influenced by Paolo Maldini. Has there ever been more grandeur in defending the ball? More elegance despite all the hardness?
“There are great players, there are world-class players and then there are players who go beyond that. Paolo is the perfect example of this,” Italy’s top scorer Alessandro del Piero once said, when he was captain of Juventus Turin and Maldini was a competitor from his heart club AC Milan.
Maldini, the foundation for five victories in the Champions League and the National Champions Cup, seven championships, 901 competitive games for the club. A record, of course. Milan legend Gianni Rivera once raved that Maldini combined footballing antiquity with modernity. In a sense, that was also true for Monday evening.
In any case, the famous father didn’t miss the big moment. 56-year-old Paolo and his wife watched Daniel Maldini’s debut for the Italian national team with interest from the stands of the Stadio Friuli in Udine. Italy won 4-1 in the Nations League group game against Israel, a comfortable victory without much effort or highlights.
First Cesare, then Paolo – and now Daniel Maldini
A success that could soon be forgotten had it not been for that 74th minute. Italy coach Luciano Spalletti had prepared a change, striker for attacking midfielder. Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori had to leave the pitch – and Daniel Maldini came on. The Maldinis are now part of the Squadra Azzurra in the third generation.
Daniel’s grandfather Cesare Maldini played 14 times for Italy between 1960 and 1963. His son Paolo Maldini played 126 times for his home country – only Gianluigi Buffon (176) and Fabio Cannavaro (136) made more international appearances. And now Daniel was happy about his first appearance in the senior national team jersey. He played a key role in preparing Giovanni di Lorenzo’s 4-1 win.
“It was a strong, positive feeling. “I’m really happy that I came on as a substitute and that the game went well,” said the 23-year-old. “I’m glad my parents were here and watching.”
Daniel is the couple’s youngest son. His brother Christian had also tried his hand at football, like his father as a defender, but never made it into the first league. The 28-year-old ended his career last summer.
With Daniel Maldini, it wasn’t initially clear what he was capable of. Grew up as a youth at AC Milan, made his professional debut in February 2020 at the age of 18, played a total of 24 games (one goal), but never really found his footing. He was loaned out and then finally let go this summer after his third loan. Serie A competitor AC Monza, for whom he was already active, secured his services. According to reports, Milan did not receive a significant transfer fee, but secured a resale share of 50 percent.
He has become a regular in Monza and started in all Serie A games. The club is currently 19th in the table with four points. and was only able to score five goals – Maldini was involved in two.
His case is the first in Italian history in which a family has provided a national player in three generations. This is rare internationally, but not unique. This constellation already existed in six European countries.
One of the most famous national team dynasties are the Gudjohnsens from Iceland, where grandfather Arnór started in 1979, his son Eidur continued in 1996 and whose sons Andri and Sveinn Aron still wear the Icelandic team jersey today. 18-year-old Daníel Gudjohnsen, who currently plays for Malmö, could become the third in the league.
Patrick Krull is the sports editor of WELT. Just one toenail from Maldini would have been enough to raise his footballing activities to a remotely respectable level.
