I've voted for Nesta .Pirlo would be my second choice and Gattuso third.Why third?because the captain is the one who sets an example to his players,yes he is a great motivator but his fouls are a great let off ( CL Final against Liverpool ) . eventhough i don't want Kaka as captain,I do have to say that NO he did not say anything about leaving,he had actually renewed his contract until 2011 to close any cahnces of leaving the club ( would be very costly for the buyer ).Ofcourse Ambrosini would have not left he club if we had got relegated ! cause no one would want to sign him.lol. Plus he should be removed from the poll,becoming captain is just a completely different story;he first has to prove he can be in the starting eleven of the DEVILS.

If you are talking about the penalty Liverpool got, that was a dive by Gerrard, Rino barely touched him there is footage about it on youtube I'll try to find it later

Dont worry I know it was a dive but why create that benefit of doubt!!! make clear tackles and especially not from behind.I konw it wasn't a foul that bi**h clearly dived but hey there are many other fouls which he has made in some matches where he just simply doesn't control himself.Dont worry mate,Gattuso is Maldinis succesor for a fact,first they had decided that it would be him but then Shevchenko somehow got an edge over him.But now since sheva is gone,it is going to be Gattuso but I would still prefer Nesta .

Even though Nesta would make a great captain he is still a Lazio player at heart, I would much rather have Rino, I know he is way too ove accentric sometimes, but I think if he is givent he responsabilty of the captain I think Rino will step up to that challenge. I'm sure he would make a great captain (he's learned from the best already )

Im not trying to spark a quarrel here but how can you guarantee that Gattuso might not want to end his career where he started it, Celtic.They are the source for what he is nutoriously konwn for. lol. . As someone mentioned before, if Nesta is given the Captains armband he will dedicate his future to Milan, just like Torres has ( It worked on him otherwise why would a plyer like him want to stay in Atletico Madrid ).
Well hey let's just all hope for the best of Milan.You never know mabye making Amorouso the captain of Milan is the way to success in all competetions. lol .

Gattuso started his career at Perugia and then he played one year at Rangers. You cannot compare between player thar grew up and played his entire career for Lazio untill he came to Milan ,and player that identified with Milan

Have to disagree with you on one count Mishale. True Rino played one year with Rangers...but that one year was enough for him to declare the manager there as his second father wasn't it? Or have I got all my facts screwed up??

I'm voting for Pirlo coz I'm such a huge fan...look I know we can say that he might have left if we were relegated, but then wasn't Nesta also linked to a host of other clubs.

IMO football has changed a lot...nowadays all players under the age of 30 want to be where the action and the money is...maybe coz careers have shortened a lot.

I voted for Pirlo coz he's the calmest of the lot. Simply because of the way he play it's easy for the team to rally around him. He's calm, I've yet to see him lose his temper, something I've seen even Sandro do and Rino do often...so my vote is for Pirlo then Nesta then Rino.

If were to award it to Clarence, it's just a reward for sticking with us and not coz of any special ability. But I still like him...for his singing if nothing else

Yes he said that about their manager then: Walter Smith , but not about their team

Well what I mean..he's a tempestous dude(I think i spelt it wrong )

I mean if Ac Milan were the X-Men...Rino would be Wolverine...a very key component but maybe not the ideal person to be a leader. But most definitely a senior player whom the manager and Captain should consult

Yes he is tempestuous ,but there are all kind of leaders. He is playing with his heart and giving his all for the team.I think if there is deserve in football then Rino should be captain

Playing with heart is something I'm yet to see a Milan player not do That's why it's my club...maybe Rino plays with his heart on his sleeve so it's obvious to us...and he's a very lovable chap I agree....but then I'm sure each one of the players give it their all. Can we honestly say Sandro or Pirlo is not trying enough...they have bad matches sure....but they never go on field saying ..."Ok this match I'll give a little less than 100%"

Sorry about the Celtic and Rangers mix-up and thanks for correcting me !! but that doesn't change anything hes still not the player with the qualities of a captain.Sometimes you can see him do very cheap things on the field,what he did to Schalke04's no.10 ( forgot his name ) in the end of our last group stages match against them when we had won was just sad .Captains don't act like he did.He's done such things many times.Plus he can't control himself and a team cannot afford to lose their captain in every match just because he can't control his anger !!! btw has Nesta ever said that he wants to retire in Lazio ?? btw Inter vs Ajax just finished one all,beautiful goal by Sneidjer he's a great player !!! Stam was playin as captain !!!

I think with a captain responsibility he won't do things like he did with Paulsen. IMO he will be a great captain

I think what he did to Pulsen was great. That b@stard desreved it for what doing to Ricky... and for scoring

Come on...Poulsen is not the devil himself...
What gattuso did was very stupid in fact. I'd still like to see nesta doing the job, I don't care if he's a Lazio player at heart. During the last 25 years we had captains who were above anything else Milanista in Baresi and Maldini. You can't compare anyone to these two.
And let's face it, Gattuso will most surely do something stupid again, and he's definetely not the guy to calm down other players
Ricky is too young.
And Pirlo in an Interesti at heart, I'd rather see a Lazio hearted captain ( no offense against Pirlo he's great).
The only ones left that really could do the job are Pippo and Dida. And Pippo is often injured and might spend some time on the bench next year if Ibra joins us...
So, I hope it'll be Nesta.

The last time a poll of this nature arose I voted for Nesta.

However, I have since decided that, tho a great defender, I am not sure if he would be a great cpatian, whether he is a motivator or not.

However, i do not doubt Gattuso's willingness to be vocal and passionate and can see him urgin the team on more, and hs tireless nature on the picture givers the impression of utter dedication. Hence Gattuso.

But only, once Maldini and Costacurta retire.

Comparing Torres to Nesta is a totally different thing Nesta grew up in Lazio and was made what he is at Lazio, just like Torres is at Atletico, Nesta was the Lazio captain, just like Torres is at Atletico, but Lazio had to sell Nesta because of financial trouble, he didn't come to Milan because he wanted to achieve bigger things or because he thought he was better then his club he came because his club had no other option but to sell him. And we don't know what Torres will decide in the future he is still young and still one day may decide to leave giving the captain's armband to a player doesn't ensure that he will stay with the team, look at what happened with judas

And for the person who asked about if Nesta has ever said that he wanted to reitre at Lazio, yes his agent recently said that Nesta would like to retire there.



The reason why I wouldn't like to have Pirlo as captain because I think he is way too quite, first he needs to start standing up for himself before he captains a team, but what you said is true you need to have a cool haed to be captain and I don't think there is anyone calmer then Pirlo out there, but I just don't think he has a lot of leadership abilities.



I kind of also liked what he did to Poulsen, sure it's not examplatory or anything, but I'm sure that when he is given that arm band he will stand up to the task of being captain very well. Plus Poulsen deserved all he got after constantly taking cheap shots at Kaka when the Ref wasn't looking

For doing that thing to Poulsen...I'm all for it. Thing is Rino is the only person who can do it...and if he's our Captain how's he gonna do it then?

Like I said.. if we were the X-Men he would be Wolverine.

Not quit sure about Gattuso being the captain of Milan. Sure he could do it once or twice a season, but for him to be our captain from now on would be a disgrace. Think about it, he has zero tolerance and needs constant reasurance to keep cool (not captain material to me).

I think the mistake is coming from who is good enough to succeed Maldini, instead we should look for who can hold the team entact .. Maybe someone with wisdom, diplomacy, and experience ..

whoever becomes captain will have a lot of pressure on them becasue everyone expects a super milanista like rivera, baresi, and maldini. its just so sad to see maldini leave the team

True;their will be a lot of presure on the successor to perform.Btw no matter how much we loved what Gattuso did to Poulsen in the end. lol, it was wrong. Poulsen might have been playing poor football throughout the game, but that's no excuse for what he did, two wrongs do not make one right !!!
Well if it's true that Nesta wants to reitre in Lazio, then I guess Pirlo should be the captain or mabye even Gattuso.

I personally think that Pirlo is way too quite to be captain, sure he has a lot of class and has the coolest heads from all the players, but I just don't see it in him, and for the person who said that Pirlo is an Interista at heart, you're wrong he's a Brescia player at heart, he also said that he wanted to retire there.

Maybe seedorf copuld be a short term option until we find a great player that could be our captain, he has class he has a condierably cool head, just look in the video where Rino is doing that to Poulsen he is the one holding him back and trying to talk to him to calm him down.

Maybe Foggia could be our next Maldini, if we lat him play that is and he is able to become a great here, he is a Milan youth player and grew up with the team so who knows what will happen

I don't know han2503...Pirlo is not seen as too vocal on the field...but maybe coz he doesn't need to be. From what I've heard he's well respected in the dressing room and that's a good thing...he doesn't pick up fights oover ego issues...so that's another good thing esp if Ibra is brought in ...

Foggia is too young...he'll have to be a regular before we can even consider him...I expect Christian Maldini to break in before then...Does anyone know what position Christian plays in? Is he also LB?

Pirlo is an option .. TBH I cant see anyone takeover from Maldini

Even if he retieres, he should sit on the bench and Captain the side ...

hahaha lol, I seriously don't mind that .No one can ever replace the Great Maldini He's just too damn good. I want to share this Maldini copmilation with you guys but I have no idea how to get it on the threads can one of you guys help me out.It's a kick *** video ,hopefully you guys haven't seen it. Otherwise it'll all be a waste of time. lol.

RB

Put it on the web through megaupload or yousendit or esnips ... and then post us the link

I saw this in youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGRbgOQYnb4...related&search=

It´s just amazing how Maldini could come from behind and steal the ball with a sliding tackle without foul!!!

This why he is the greatest

Yea I saw that .. Paolo is Paolo what more can I say; the best thing is, is that he is 37 and still playing at an extraordinary level for a club like Milan

I think you can read off my nick who I would like as the new captain
Problem is he's not always a starter due to all his injuries...

Rino would be a fine capintesta

Yeah Rino is the best option after our King Paolo.

Only this is the problem?

Yep, that is the only problem really! Otherwise he would be our first choice captain after Maldini. But due to his injury problems and his increasing age, it's rather unlikely to happen.

With Pirlo, Clarence, Rino and Ricky I really don`t see space for Ambro. Even a 100precent fit one?

Well the season is long .. And I think our players will get a chance to rotate

Last year Ambro was picked over Gattuso and only injuries put him back on the bench. While it would be just mad to pick Ambro over Gatusso this year, I would gladly pick him as our second captain after Rino. If he gets injured again, I can easily see Pirlo, Nesta or even Kaladze taking the armband as our second captains.

I don`t know if Rino is the man for that kind of responsability?

Galliani said that Rino will be Milan's captain after Paolo... And I'm sure he will change a lot when given the armband. Just watch some of the games where he was assined the captain armband. He did great!

Yeah i believe that something similar happened to Patrick Viera when he was made captain at Arsenal

At first he got lots of yellow and red cards, but when given the captains armband he cooled down and showed responsibility, Gattuso also proved this when he avoided getting yellow carded after his first offence, he played calmly and made good tackles

I would give it to Nesta or Pirlo!

I know we had similar discussions considering this matter. But this season Maldini will probably say addio, and Milan will have to find a new captain. And the choice isn't that easy or unimportant..

Ivan Gennaro Gattuso
255 matches played (51 caps for Italy)

pros: he's been with Milan for over 8 years, and played as a regular most of the time. Also, most of the fans consider him to be one of the most distinctive Milan players, a trade mark of the post-Maldini generation. His presence, solidity and resistance of long-term injuries could provide a good solution. Also, his character could gain more stability and calmness.
cons: his character in first place. It isn't that rare that we see Gattuso yell and scream at a referee, loosing his temper or acting hastily. He could be a Matrix-like captain, who's 100% with the team but not the guy with experience and sense for playing the ball down. Also, he's 30 years old, which makes him a solution for 4-6 seasons. Not bad, but considering that we had Maldini as captian for about 10 seasons it's a new situation.

Massimo Ambrosini
218 matches played (31 caps for Italy)

pros: Ambrosini has been with Milan since 1995, and knows the team very well. After Boban, Costacurta and Shevchenko retired or left, he had been mostly Maldini's No. 2. His calmness, responsibility and rationality in grave moments is astonishing and displays a positive and ensuring model to the team.
cons: he's known as an injury-prone player, although this season he proved resistivity. It is the main reason why thought playing for Milan more then a decade he never was considered a integral or irreplaceable part of the team. His first XI spot was established only after Ancelotti switched to a different system, or, after the departure of Shevchenko. Also, he's just like Gattuso 30+ years old.

Alessandro Nesta
150 matches played (78 caps for Italy)

pros: played for Italy's squad for three World Cups and has emense international experience. Also, he was for 5 seasons Lazio's captain, guiding the team in their greatest period in the clubs history. In Milan he established himself as a classy defender. Over two decades Milan has a defender as captain. Also, he's been the one who played the most matches alongst with Maldini and Costacurta, plus the Azzuri post-Maldini captain Cannavaro. Allways considered to be a calm and rational player, he certainly has the pedigree to take over at Milan as well.
cons: Nesta never hided his love to Lazio and ruled out a comeback. This fact is his only real "con". In addition to that, the only (minor) problems would be that he's 32 and that he started to be injury-prone.

Kakhaber Kaladze
170 matches played (50 caps for Georgia)

pros: captain of the Georgian NT for quite some time, but however never made it with them to a big tournament final. Playing for Milan for 7 seasons, mostly as a central defender (although started as a left back/winger) he established himself as one of Milans trademarks.
cons: some fans would point out that he's lacking of class to be even a Milan player, more then less a future captain. Also considered to be rugged, without the needed temper and personality for a captain.

Andrea Pirlo
200 matches played (44 caps for Italy)

pros: Andrea did not even past 30 years, which puts him the unique option to be the most long lasting solution. He's a standard player who usually misses not more then 10% of Milan's matches. Also has a good reputation off field and a calm temper. He was Italy's U-21 captain in 2000. when the team reached the bronze medail on the Olympics.
cons: in recent years never proved himself to be a leading character capacity, and never was considered as one.

Clarence Seedorf
170 matches played (86 caps for Holland)

pros: leaded the Dutch national side more then once into success and has many big international matches in his feet's. However, he missed the 2002 WC and being nominated for the NT in 2006. On the other hand, he achived and surpassed numerous records in the Champions League, being the only player to win the trophy with three different clubs, or the most capped Dutch player ever played. He also has that certain leader ability and temper. Seedorf is a regular player, and enjoys a good relationship with both Ancelotti and the rest of Milan's team.
cons: just like Pirlo, he's been playing for Inter in his past, and did change many colors before settling with Milan. He also never was tested as captain at Milan, and in addition played "just" 6 seasons for Milan.

Ricardo Kaka
146 matches played (57 caps for Brazil)

pros: in his professional career Kaka played only for Sao Paolo and Milan. Also, he declared that he will be loyal to the red-black shirt for a long time, putting down any speculations of leaving the team soon. Most likely he will end his career with Milan, and considering that he is only 25 years old, he could be a decade lasting solution. In just one season he established himself as Milan's greatest name, and recently won many awards who proved the same. His character is spotless and his temper well controlled and balanced. Could be the first South American captain at Milan since Jose Altafini and some rare Leonardo jump-ins.
cons: Milan is not familiar with a non-defender and non-Italian as captain. For years there's been a different tradition.

Daniele Bonera
40 matches played (13 caps for Italy)

pros: Bonera is still young, but has given the opportunity to learn from the best - Nesta, Costacurta and Maldini. He has been too often pushed on the flanks and failed, but when played as central defender allways managed a solid performance at least. He is italian, young, and a defender for the next Milan generation.
cons: never actually captained any team and never showed off any leading abilities. In contrary, like Pirlo or even Ambrosini he often plays a reserved role and mostly depends on the teams general attitude. One more "con" is that Bonera only recently joined Milan (2006) and for sure would be a surprise nomination.

Massimo Oddo
32 matches played (34 caps for Italy)

pros: is a combination of Nesta's and Bonera's "pros" with the plus that he was a Milan primavera. So he has a certain legitimity to deserve the armband. He was also Lazio's captain for a few seasons and showed off well, earning himself a NT call-up.
cons: joined Milan only recently, and still has to prove consistency and long-term quality. His Milan connection from the primaveras is more theoretical the applicable. In addition to that he's passed 30 years.

My personal choice would be Ambro. Followed by Gattuso and Kaka'.

Nice post Filippo.

Great post, and something I was thinking about the other day.

Nesta gets my vote for sure, although I don't think he'll get it (I think it'll go to Ambro). Nesta is arguably our most consistent performer, and has already shown his leadership qualities at Lazio.

ambro/gattuso...my vote went for rino, cause i think ambro won't be so "regular" as this season, but that's just my point of view...

Personally I want a captain for the next 5 or 8 years. so my personal choices are Pirlo and Kaka respectively. but we all know it'll be between Ambro and Rino, which IMO neither are 100% qualified to be Maldini's successor. Ambro just have no control over his nerve in difficult situations and Rino's style of play and especially characteristics are not that of a charismatic leader. he's only good at motivating the others, but that's not all a captain should be... [once again, IN MY OPINION]

'Sandro Nesta

That said, if I could freely choose one, it'd be Kaka. he's been here for five seasons, is [and will be] an absolute regular starter both for Milan and Brazil, and from every pov, he's just perfect...

Alessandro Nesta. A great man, a great leader and a great footballer. Milan's captain is not just the guy who wears the armband, Milan's captain is a person who is respected by his teammates and his opponents and whose mere presence on the pitch is enough to take the team a whole level above. That said, there is no one in the team right now that can be a captain as great as Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi. Nesta might have Lazio in his heart but he is ideal for the role in my view.

Kaladze? My heart aches that he's even playing for Milan...

Of course the captain is not going to be Nesta, it will be Ambrosini... I certainly do no agree with this choice though.

PS I hope we won't have to choose one until Summer '09.