Monday night marked a momentous occasion for the Maldini family as Daniel Maldini made his debut for the Italian national team against Israel in Udine. The significance of the event was not lost on anyone, least of all Daniel’s father, Paolo Maldini, who watched from the stands with a mixture of pride and nostalgia.
The Bluenergy Stadium in Udine holds a special place in Paolo Maldini’s heart, as it was the very ground where he made his Serie A debut with AC Milan decades ago. Now, years later, he found himself in the same stadium, this time as a spectator, watching his son don the Azzurri shirt for the first time.
In an interview with TV12, Paolo Maldini shared his thoughts on this emotional night. “My career began here in Udine as a professional; I always return very willingly,” he said. “The emotions I experienced are those of a father, which are much stronger than those of playing football.” His words encapsulated the unique perspective of a parent watching their child follow in their footsteps, yet carving out their own path.
Daniel’s debut marks the continuation of a remarkable family legacy. He becomes the third Maldini to represent Italy at the international level, following his grandfather Cesare and father Paolo. This achievement has not only solidified the Maldini dynasty in Italian football but has also sparked interest in Daniel’s club future, with rumours swirling about potential moves to Inter or a return to AC Milan.
While the night was primarily about Daniel’s debut, Paolo Maldini also took the opportunity to discuss the upcoming match between AC Milan and Udinese at San Siro. He expressed his long-standing respect for Udinese, describing them as “one of the most physical teams ever.” Maldini noted his surprise at the team’s struggles last season but expressed confidence in their current status, suggesting they could aim for more than just avoiding relegation.
The conversation then turned to another debutant from the Israel match, Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca. Paolo Maldini was effusive in his praise, calling Lucca “a rare commodity, a center-forward from another era.” This high praise from a football legend like Maldini carries significant weight and speaks to the potential Lucca possesses.
Gökhan Inler, Udinese’s technical area manager, echoed Maldini’s sentiments about Lucca in a separate interview with TV12. Inler emphasized Lucca’s deserved call-up to the national team, citing his strong individual performances last season. “This year we’re trying to develop him even more because he has the ability to become a great striker,” Inler stated. He also expressed gratitude to national team coach Luciano Spalletti for giving Lucca this opportunity.
