Blog: Paolo’s past it
Some are calling for Paolo Maldini to be given one more cap out of sentimentality. Steve Wilson doesn’t agree when the defence of the World Cup is drawing so close

I am generally a sentimental man when it comes to football. I like to see the underdog win, the old veteran lift the Cup in his final game or the teenage debutant scoring for his hometown club. However, I am not buying into the suggestion that Marcello Lippi should give Paolo Maldini an international send-off, or the even more ludicrous proposal that he should be taken to the Confederations Cup.

Eagle-eyed readers of Calcio Italia may remember a while back an article I penned claiming that the Azzurri should use one of their dead rubber qualifiers for World Cup 2006 to give first caps to players like Eugenio Corini and Paolo Di Canio, or sentimental recalls for the likes of Roberto Baggio. In hindsight, that was a nice, quaint idea, but it would have been a totally irresponsible one had the FIGC sanctioned it.

Italy are World Champions, but even the most staunch tifosi would have a hard argument of claiming that La Nazionale are still No 1. The FIFA rankings say Spain and Euro 2008 responded with the same answer. Defending the golden goblet in South Africa is not going to be an easy task. The last thing Marcello Lippi needs is an added selection headache, or to waste an important match by turning it into a media circus.

Some may say drafting Maldini into the Confederations Cup squad will give him a fitting send-off and allow young internationals to learn from him. Is that not an insult to the likes of Fabio Cannavaro? Correct me if I am wrong, but the current Azzurri skipper actually won his World Cup Final. And if an international player still feels he needs to be learning from his peers like a schoolboy then he doesn’t have the self-belief to be a winner.

Each qualifier and each friendly between now and next June must be used to gel the players together into a cohesive and all-conquering unit. There can be no place for distraction. Not now and not in the summer at the Confederations Cup. Sure give Maldini a Milan v Italy testimonial match at San Siro at the end of the season, but let’s not compromise Italy’s future or the man himself. I’m sure the last thing he wants is to be pushed centre-stage.

Paolo Maldini is a name that will be echoed for decades to come. If anything, he is the most admired footballer on the planet. No one holds anything against this Legend !

As for the bold part; youngsters can learn from Maldini. they can also learn from Cannavaro. if that's the writer's point, I agree with it. but if he meant Cannavaro is a better role model because he is a World Cup winner, then he's an absolute idiot.

Blog: Paolo’s past it