Paolo Maldini barely needed to make a tackle. His reading of the game was so good that he was usually already in the right place. Over 25 years at AC Milan, he set the standard for every defender who followed.
Below you'll find Paolo Maldini's fact file, career history and honours, plus our Paolo Maldini collection of hoodies and T-shirts.
Paolo Maldini Fact File
| Full name | Paolo Cesare Maldini |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 26 June 1968 (age 58) |
| Place of birth | Milan, Italy |
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Position | Left-back / centre-back |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Status | Retired |
| Shirt number | 3 |
| Nickname | Il Capitano |
Career History
| Years | Team | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–2009 | AC Milan | 647 | 29 |
| 1988–2002 | Italy | 126 | 7 |
League appearances and goals; international figures are caps and goals.
One Club, 25 Years
Born in Milan in 1968, the son of Milan legend Cesare Maldini, Paolo made his Serie A debut in 1985 aged 16. He never played for another club, making 902 appearances for Milan before retiring in 2009. Celebrate this chapter with our Paolo Maldini AC Milan Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Five European Cups
Maldini won five European Cups and Champions League titles with Milan, spanning 1989 to 2007, plus seven Serie A titles. He was a key part of Arrigo Sacchi's legendary Milan side alongside Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and the Dutch trio of Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten.
He also captained Milan to victory in the 2003 Champions League final at Old Trafford, and scored the fastest goal in Champions League final history, after just 51 seconds, against Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005. Relive it with our Paolo Maldini 2002 World Cup Sticker Men's T-Shirt.
Italy
Maldini won 126 caps for Italy and played in four World Cups, reaching the 1994 final. He was named in the team of the tournament at multiple World Cups and European Championships. Wear the legend with our Paolo Maldini Men's Hoodie.
Number 3
When Maldini retired, Milan retired his number 3 shirt, saying it would only be worn again by one of his sons if they played for the club. Elegant, loyal and almost impossible to beat, Maldini is a true icon of the game.
Honours
AC Milan
- European Cup / Champions League: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
- Serie A: 7
- Coppa Italia: 2003
- Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
Off the Pitch
Maldini comes from a Milan dynasty: his father Cesare captained Milan to their first European Cup in 1963, and his son Daniel has also played for the club. He later served as Milan's technical director, helping build the side that won Serie A in 2022.
FAQs
How old is Paolo Maldini?
Paolo Maldini was born on 26 June 1968, so he is 58 years old.
Where was Paolo Maldini born?
In Milan, Italy.
How tall is Paolo Maldini?
Paolo Maldini is 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in).
What teams has Paolo Maldini played for?
Only AC Milan, for his entire career from 1985 to 2009, plus Italy.
Did Paolo Maldini only play for AC Milan?
Yes, he spent his entire professional career at Milan, from 1985 to 2009.
Why was Maldini's number 3 retired?
Milan retired it in his honour, saying it could only be worn again by one of his sons.
How many Champions Leagues did Maldini win?
Five European Cups and Champions Leagues, between 1989 and 2007.
Shop the Paolo Maldini Collection
Celebrate Paolo Maldini with our made-to-order hoodies and T-shirts, printed in England in men's and kids' sizes.
See every design in the full Paolo Maldini collection, or browse more football legends. Want your own name on the back? Try our custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Roberto Baggio and Johan Cruyff.
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