Legendary Italian footballer Paolo Maldini, renowned as one of the greatest defenders in football history, has finally spoken out about the surprising circumstances surrounding his departure from AC Milan six months ago. The former captain and manager shared insights on his silence, the club’s changing dynamics, and the challenges he faced.
Maldini, who devoted the majority of his illustrious career to AC Milan, offered a candid perspective on the events leading up to his dismissal and the subsequent period of contemplative silence. Known as “Il Capitano” during his playing days, Maldini addressed various aspects of his departure in a recent interview.
The football icon began by explaining the reason for his prolonged silence, stating, “I would have talked about my gut, time allows for serenity. There are people passing through, without real respect for the identity and history of Milan. And there are others linked to its ideals. It would be better to keep them close.”
When asked if he anticipated the split from the club, Maldini responded, “If the club was sold for 1.2 billion and the owners want to change, they have the right. But people and roles must be respected. I had to find an agreement for my rights. The love for Milan remains unconditional.”
Refuting speculations and addressing misinformation, Maldini emphasized, “The information is not directed towards the truth: anyone who says otherwise knows they are lying to themselves. Luckily it seems to me that the public is not influenced.”
Addressing allegations of being an individualist, Maldini clarified, “It is confused with the desire to be responsible for the decisions required by the role. Daily discussion is a blessing. A former top-level footballer is used to being judged every three days. As a manager, I grew.”
Regarding the Mercato (transfer market), Maldini shared insights into his collaboration with Sporting Director Massara, stating, “Nothing could be further from the truth than that sporting director Massara and I did not share objectives and strategies. Each purchase was endorsed by the CEO and owners.”
Reflecting on the pivotal day of June 5, 2022, Maldini recounted the moment he learned about his dismissal. He detailed a conversation with Gerry Cardinale, where reasons for the decision were attributed to strained relations with CEO Furlani. Maldini expressed his surprise, stating, “The contract, two years with the option to renew, was signed to me on 30 June 2022 at 10 pm: too unpopular to send us away after the Scudetto.”
