If God's alright, I'm alright!

Of course, you are. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Welcome back from the break, mate. The forum can't do without you.

I sometimes think if Maldini overstayed his welcome... I mean last season whenever the thought of no more Maldini in red & black on the pitch entered my mind I felt very nostalgic. it had a huge emotional impact on me... But this season, not as much. I do think about it from time to time, but you just can't say he left on a high... More like leaving after giving EVERY DROP OF HIS BLOODY BLOOD FOR THIS TEAM. Even last season I didn't feel like that even though we had a terrible season, but the memory of CL win and WCC win was still fresh and he had some spectacular games.

But then again, I realize, this is an end of an era and when I look at the whole picture, I appreciate him much better and am once again happy to see him on the pitch... Even at 40... He carries so much history with him, that it doesn't really matter if he is not what he used to be. I'm just happy to still be able to see him and Nesta play together. I'm grateful for that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(from goal.com)

(IMG:http://i.media.goal.com/g/28252_news.jpg)

Maldini: Inter Don't Scare Us
Milan legend Paolo Maldini was presented with the third Giacinto Facchetti prize yesterday and took a chance to look back at his career and this season's battle with the Cugini.

Facchetti, who was a legend of his own in the Nerazzurri colours, passed away two years ago and the honour is given to the player who embodies the spirit of football.

"It gives me great joy to receive this award," the former Italy international is quoted as saying in the Gazzetta dello Sport. "Our paths and careers were quite similar, not only at club level, but in the National side too.

"I loved Facchetti's calm attitude and Arrigo Sacchi used to rave about him, as he was the first attacking full-back, the first one to interpret the role in a modern way."

The 40-year-old is expected to hang up his boots at the end of this season after a very productive and lengthy career, but vows he will not pursue a coaching career.

"No way," smiled the Rossoneri captain, "I do not think about that at all, I promise that I will surprise you, but I won't be sitting on a bench.

"I had a stupendous career and I still carry with me the memories of my first training session at Linate in 1978, and of course the day of my debut in Udine. And how could I forget the 1990 World Cup and all the trophies won with Milan, particularly the Champions League in 2003."

City rivals Inter are already topping the table after seven rounds, but Paolo seems completely unfazed by the way they seem to steamroller their rivals.

"Really? I do not think we were particularly intimidated during the Derby..." subtly concluded Maldini.

The Diavoli came out on top in the Derby della Madonnina last month, courtesy of a splendid Ronaldinho header.

Forza Il Capitano! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif)

Don't worry,.. he'll lift one of the cup's this season as well. Then you'll have a fresh silverware-lifting scene with him (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) .

Thats why we must win the scudetto, for Paolos sake.

I hate this guy!!
He's so perfect!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Amen.

Thank you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif)

This is goal.com quoting Tuttosport, so not usually what I'd consider reliable. That said, a Turin paper doesn't usually have something this nice to say about a player from Milan. So....

That's almost like donating US $2 million to charity. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) Good show!

Join Goal.com’s Campaign For Paolo Maldini To Play Against Brazil
You heard it here first…Goal.com are launching an ambitious campaign for Marcello Lippi to play Paolo Maldini against Brazil on February 10 in what would be a special international farewell before the Milan hero retires. We need your support to help make it happen…

Paolo Maldini will finally retire at the end of the current season and, unlike the past two years, this time there will be no going back. This raises the question – just how do you honour a player, who will probably go down in history as the greatest defender of all time?

It can’t be possible that a monument of the game, who has won seven Scudetti, five Champions Leagues, been capped more than any Milan, Serie A or Italy national team player, can just fade away into the horizon. This is someone who has been consistently world class for the best part of a quarter-of-a-century, someone who is known for his fair play and humility on-and-off the pitch, loved, respected and cherished by all opponents and fans.

This is a player who defies the laws of physics, and sends shivers down your spine when you see him continue to compete with the best at the age of nearly 41.

To put it simply – Paolo Maldini is an incomparable legend, and it could be 100 years before we again see someone of his kind on the football field.

Maldini has not played for Italy since the 2002 World Cup second round clash against South Korea, with the defender announcing his retirement after the infamous Golden Goal defeat. He has since twice resisted calls to come back, first for Euro 2004, and then for the victorious 2006 World Cup campaign.

But how about Italy hands Maldini the international send-off he deserves during the prestigious friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 10?

With the Azzurri playing just two more matches before the Confederations Cup in June, both important World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Ireland, this would be the last chance for Maldini to don the famous blue jersey for one last time, and the last opportunity for the fans to celebrate and pay tribute to their hero.

And what a finer finale than a clash against the world’s most successful nation, the team who denied Maldini the World Cup in 1994, and who would field a number of the stopper’s Milan team-mates, including Kaka, Pato and Ronaldinho.

In April 2004, Italy showed its romantic side by offering another retiring legend, Roberto Baggio, a sentimental farewell in a friendly against Spain. The reception in Genoa to ‘The Divine Ponytail’ was overwhelming, and the ex-Juventus and Brescia star left the field in tears when he was substituted three minutes before the end.

Maldini deserves to be able to say goodbye in a similar fashion, even if he is to only enter as a substitute late in the game and, for this reason, Goal.com, together with Goal.com Italia, are launching an ambitious campaign for Marcello Lippi to pick the Milan captain against Brazil.

We realise that this could be a long-shot, but he who dares, wins. With your help, we could make the impossible happen. With enough responses, this campaign/petition will be publicised throughout Italy and the World, and will also help enable us to get in contact with the two parties that matter most – Marcello Lippi and Paolo Maldini.

So ask yourself – do you want Paolo Maldini to be handed a farewell match against Brazil in a fortnight’s time? If you do, leave your real name, address and honest comment below, and we will try to make the dream come true…

Carlo Garganese

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/edi...play-against-b

if goal.com pull this off i will start to respect them

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/freak.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/freak.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/freak.gif) +333,333,333,333,333,333,333,333,333,333,333,333,333,333.

If it happens, it won't be coz of goal.com. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) I don't think goal.com was around when Baggio was given the chance was it.