Paolo to take Leo's place! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

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I can't wait to see if he'll accept a testimonial match in his honor. Can you imagine what it would be like? The whole history of modern football is going to be there! From Platini to Maradona, Baresi, van Basten, Ronaldo, Zidane... everyone will be present! Because Maldini is neither a teammate nor an opponent, he is everybody's captain!

Please do this and make it the best thing ever! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

What?

I think I remember him saying there would be no testimonial...I hope I'm wrong though.

He has done, Locke.

But both the club (for Milan) and the FIGC (for the Azzurri) want to do one for him. I'm hoping he'll reconsider too.

... as sporting director. Who would say not to Paolo? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

So now I'm starting to unpack. I've pulled out the ad I tore out of Gazzetta - it was in the Sunday issue. I'll try to scan it if I can and reproduce it here, but in the meantime, here are the quotes:

Pep (Guardiola): I'd like to dedicate this victory to Paolo Maldini, an example for everyone. I know that he's had the admiration of all of Europe for the last 25 years.

Gianluca (Zambrotta): I hope that there will be an Azzurri farewell game for Maldini. He's made history in the national team and in italian football. He's a unique footballer.

Rino (Gattuso): He's a gladiator.

Luis Nazario: Maldini was the best player to mark me in Europe. Sometimes he'd foul me, but with correctness.

Andrea (Pirlo): Paolo is a legend of Italian and world fotoball and I'm proud to have spent these years at his side.

Candido (Cannavo): He's had fame, wealth, a beautiful family a great father, and he's deserved every bit of it.

Giacinto (Facchetti): The only defect that could be found in Maldini is that he played for Milan.

Sir Alex (Ferguson): He's probably my favourite european football in the last 15 years.

Bobo (Vieri): In 4 or 5 years of derby games I scored only one goal and in other games I never saw the ball.

Davide (Santon): During the derby I asked him for his jersey. At the end of the game I thought he'd forgotten; instead he came to the dressing room to bring me to it himself: my legs were shaking with emotion.

Fabio (Capello): A great example of professionalism both on and off the field.

Franco (Baresi): I saw him debut and he was already a champion, an extraordinary athlete that no adversery was ever really able to put in difficulty.

And at the bottom: The world of football is at your feet. Us too. Thank you, Paolo. -- Nike Football.

(Edited to include the surnames of the guys quoted).

This post has been edited by Tennie: Jun 3 2009, 08:17 PM

Loved Vieri's quote (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Here's a scanned image of the ad.

(IMG:http://i41.tinypic.com/i4io3m.jpg)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

U are a saint tennie!!

Thanks!

Wow, that's so cool! thanks Tennie!

And while I'm at it, here is a scan of all of Il Capitano's Panini stickers. They gave these away at Milan-Roma.

Gianluca Pagliuca?

I'm pretty sure it's Zambrotta, Miz.

The Davide is Santon right?

Yep.

(EDIT: Post with translated quotes above is edited to include surnames of the guys in question).

This post has been edited by Tennie: Jun 3 2009, 08:15 PM