One-Club Man 2016[en].indd

PAOLO MALDINI:
“ATHLETIC CLUB IS
COMPETITIVE AND
CURRENTLY IN FOOTBALL
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE”
This is the second edition of One-Club Man Award,
a prize for those players who spend all their career
within the same team apart from Athletic Club.
Have you ever imagine you could be awarded with
this price? How did you receive that news?
— To be honest, I didn’t expect this price. So I am
incredibly pleased seeing how much people appreciates
having spent all my sport career in the same team.
Do you know Athletic Club? What do you think
about our philosophy of playing only with local
players or with players from our reserve?
— Of course I do know Athletic Club. I always admired
it due to the reason of playing only with Basque
players or with those who have been trained in the
pool of young players. Athletic Club is competitive
and currently in football this is unbelievable.
You were born in 1968, do you remember anything of
1976/77 UEFA round? You were eight that year. Do
you remember anything about that round, that Gianni
Rivera was the captain? The first leg Athletic Club won
4-1, even if the opening goal (0-1) was scored by Fabio
Capello, and in the second leg, AC Milan got ahead on
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ONE-CLUB MAN AWARD:
PAOLO
MALDINI
the scoreboard 3-0 thanks to Callioni
(2) and Biasiolo (1), and Athletic Club
scored in the 88’ by penalty.
— I do not remember them those two matches
against AC Milan, but my first memories of the
football are from the same year’s UEFA Cup
final, that Athletic defeated Juventus. I was liked
by hat Juventus at least a bit, ten men of the
team where playing with the National Team. I
remember I watched on TV those matches.
Afterwards, when you were player, in the period
when Capello was the coach of AC Milan,
even if you were not able to play it, there was a
friendly match between your team and Athletic
Club in 18th of February of 1993 (2-0); in that
match, a long period without being defeated
finished. In the second one, in 2th of October
of 2007, with the mister Carlo Ancelotti, you
played the first half of the game. Which are
the memories you have from that match?
— In the match of 1993, more than likely I
was injured, but I remember that I played the
first half in 2007 with the young Darmian.
Athletic had a strong attack and we were
lucky keeping our target without goals.
Which are the reasons for a player to
spend the full career in the same year?
In your case, during 25 seasons.
— I was born in Milano, and my father had been
a legend of AC Milan during 14 years; The first
contract with AC Milan I signed in 1978, when I
was ten years old. I spent in the young teams six
years and as proffessional 25 seasons more, we won
some competitions and the Champions League. I
consider what I mentioned in advance is enough
to explain why I always played in AC Milan.
During your sport life you have had some
chances to leave AC Milan. Has anyone
(president, coach,...) ever talk about it?
— Whenever I used to go to sign a new contract,
the club used to say that they disagreed and it
was impossible. Probably, AC Milan received
offers, but they have never told me anything.
What does AC Milan mean for you? Are you
proud of being part of it? An experience?
— I am really proud of all what I lived thanks to
AC Milan, I spend awesome moments with my
team mates. I often say: If I’d write the dream of
my life, it could be imposible to be so amazing and
full of achievements. My blood is “rossonero”.
Is it strange to be in the same team
during such a long time in Italy, where
it’s so usual team changing?
— I’m pretty sure that my history is special: my
father was the captain and my two sons are playing
in the young teams of AC Milan. It was not difficult
for me and my family being loyal with this team.
What did you feel when they gave
you the nickname “Il capitano”?
— Donning the captain’s armbrand was a
huge honour for me, mostly because I was
replacing an admired player, Franco Baresi.
You have played more than a thousand official
matches, you are the one who played so
many games with the red and black jersey,
and you have the record of most matches
played in your domestic competition, the
Serie A of Italy. How do you feel that?
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ONE-CLUB MAN AWARD:
PAOLO
MALDINI
— You don’t look for records, you don’t think about
an amount of matches. I just wanted to win each
game I was playing, as though it was my last.
Your father Cesare who passed away recently
(our condolences) was a legend of AC Milan
too, did it affect on you to stay there?
— Maybe yes, but the last say has always been
mine. First, I had an opportunity to play, and
later, I could won everything with my loved
team in my hometown. Why should I change?
Your sons are playing in AC Milan, and if
it’s possible, forever. Would you like it?
— Of course, I would love it without any doubt,
and I am sure they would also want it, but we all
know how hard is to climb until the premier’s
team. I just want them to be happy inside and
outside football, in any way of their lifes.
Has any mate of the National Team
ever said to you something about your
long career in the same club?
— In my opinion, I consider all my mates have
dreamt with playing in their loved teams forever,
but not many people have had that luck.
Which are your best and worst
memories in AC Milan?
— Probably the sweetest moment would have been
my debut in the Serie A. I was only sixteen years
old, and that day I thought I could be a professional
player. The worst moment, maybe, was the defeat of
the final in Istanbul in 2005, most of all because we
were leading the match 3-0 at the half time interval.
Which has been your biggest
surprise in the football?
— My love with football was one of the most
natural stuff of the world, it might be something
genetic. This passion has contributed myself
to continue during such a long time.
Would you like to say anything to Athletic Club?
— I would like to thank the President and
Directors, for being chosen in One Club Man
Award, and I wish all the best to the supporters
in this final stage of season. Another year in
Europe would be an umpteenth miracle. A hug.
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