Paolo Maldini has backed Mattia De Sciglio to emulate his Milan career – and admits he supported Juventus as a child.
Maldini made a record 902 appearances for the Rossoneri in his 24 seasons at San Siro, winning seven Scudetti and five Champions League titles.
Paolo Maldini has backed Mattia De Sciglio to emulate his Milan career – and admits he supported Juventus as a child.
Maldini made a record 902 appearances for the Rossoneri in his 24 seasons at San Siro, winning seven Scudetti and five Champions League titles.
Speaking at a Braun event at Milan Foundation, the former captain identified Mattia De Sciglio as his heir, and revealed his initial Bianconero leanings.
“At the start I was a Juve fan,” Maldini told a room of young people and members of the Press.
“Then I started to play for Milan and I started supporting them, also in part due to my father [Cesare].
“For 50 years now there’s always been a Maldini at Milan [Maldini’s son Christian is currently on the books at the Rossoneri].
“Being Milan captain after my dad was something I wanted to do, it was a great honour in my life.
“As for the current squad, I think De Sciglio can follow a similar path to me at Milan. Things aren’t going too well at the moment, but he can have a career like mine.”
Despite his legendary status, Maldini was criticised by a section of the Milan support on his last appearance, with Ultras unveiling a banner accusing Maldini of having no respect for fans.
“It wasn’t an easy time, and it was also unexpected,” the former Italian international admitted.
“There were 70,000 people there, but we only remember that small minority of fans.
“I am a thinking man, and I said things as they were.
“That reception was a good thing, because it showed an even bigger divide between me and that side of football, I don’t think that’s the future of the sport.