MILANELLO - Before the team's training session this afternoon, ahead of Milan-Roma, last home match of the season and last match at San Siro in Paolo Maldini's career, a very special awarding took place. Adriano Galliani gave the Rossoneri captain the celebrative medal (with which the club celebrates each player's 100th game) for his 900th appearence in Milan's shirt. Maldini reached this target last Saturday at the 'Friuli' against Udinese, in the stadium where he made his debut in 1985.

Adriano Galliani started the awarding as follows in front of Milan Channel's cameras: 'Paolo Maldini has reached the 900 game milestone in 24 years. From the first, on 20 January 1985 at Udine against Udinese to the 900th, again at Udine on 16 May 2009.'

After these declarations, the Rossoneri team, who had gathered in front of the captain and Milan's Delegate Administrator, a long applause was given. Galliani then said to the players' group: 'I told Paolo that he has time until 6 July to change his mind and try to reach 1000 games..."
Adriano Galliani then continued: 'I saw an interesting statistic. Each time Maldini reached a 100th game, he played an away game. The 100th, the 200th and so on until the 900th, all away from home. It's a very interesting thing. I think Paolo has no equals in the world and nobody managed to play 900 official games in the same team like him. I think this is an absolute record that will remain in history. I don't think there will ever be a player in an important team like Milan who manages to reach this amount of games. I have no abjectives to explain what we think of Paolo, the numbers speak for him. And then his characteristics, which are unique in the world.

Paolo Maldini has another luck: he and his father lifted the Champions League as Milan captains. They didn't just win it, but lifted it as champions, 40 years apart. This will probably never happen again. Maldini's career is simply incredible.'

At this point there was more applause for the captain, who thanked everyone and promised to talk about his emotions after tomorrow's game.

I agree with Galliani on this, no one will manage to make 900 appearances for an important club ever again! it's simply impossible in today's football.

Well, I'd be more than shocked if Giggs DOESN'T reach that mark.

That means he'd have to play at least two more full seasons while he's 35 now... hmm... I won't bet on it but it's possible.

I was more talking about the new generation when I said that. Giggs and Maldinis and Rauls aside...

Ah, I see.

Well if you think playing 900 games for 1 club is impressive, I bet nobody will ever reach Anelkas record of playing at least 1 game for 900 clubs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

LOOOOOOOOOL (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) classic Kurt!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

You better watch it kurt because next thing you know he'll be on Villa's doorstep

Actually according to Booby McMahon of FOX Soccer Ch last night, Giggs would in fact have to play another 7 season to equal what Maldini has now done. At first the number seems shocking, until u do the calculations, and it seems accurate. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
What Maldini has done, is special... [so special that it does infact deserve another word to describe it]

As Sir Bobby McMahon also stated, to just simply refer to Maldini as the best defender of his generation cetrainly doesn't do him justice, as its more along the lines of 'best defender Ever.'

This post has been edited by TriniKing_CE: May 24 2009, 12:11 AM

I just wish te game was live so I could record it. Villa KOs at 4pm GMT, so I could watch most of it, but I'll miss the end for certain. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

Hopefully I'll find some nice post-match highlights about on the net.

MILAN-ROMA: LE FORMAZIONI UFFICIALI
24/05/2009
MILAN: Dida; Flamini, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kakà; Pato, Inzaghi.
ROMA: Artur; Motta, Mexes, Juan, Riise; Taddei, Brighi, Cassetti; Pizzarro, Vucinic, Totti.


Where is Zambro???

very strange to see zambrotta out as for CB favilli to partner is good but it would have been lovely if nesta-maldini were playing for last time in san siro

Is Zambro injured?

I saw him in training yesterday on Milan channel he looked fine.

Hopefully he hasn't dropped him over Janku, because I know who I'd pick between the 2

Anyway, rest of the formation look good, glad to see Pato back in the starting 11 next to Pippo. I would have prefered to have Rino in midfield instead of Ambro, but I gues he's not 100% yet

I really hope we will win Paolo's last match at the San Siro!!!!

He deserves it, and the formation up front doesn't look too bad for that

Forza Milan

I don't want that to be his last match at home.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

Forza Milan,

Hopefully there will be a decent stream for this match!!

Forza Maldini + Milano!!!