Paolo Maldini’s four-month injury nightmare is over after he announced he’ll be ready for the Serie A opener against Lazio.

“I really think I’m ready for the start of the season, both from a physical and psychological stand-point,” he told Milan Channel.


The Rossoneri captain played 45 minutes in their Trofeo TIM victory, beating both Inter and Juventus to take the summer friendly tournament.


“It’s true it wasn’t an entire match, but the knee reacted well and it was an important test on a particularly rough pitch. Despite all of that, there was no swelling. I believe I’m ready to return now.”


There were fears last season’s persistent injury concerns would force the 38-year-old to retire, but he’s fired up for his 23rd Serie A campaign and the tough opener against Lazio on September 10.


“I don’t think the order of the fixture list can change the course of a championship all that much. We have an eight-point penalty and must therefore try to win every single game. Whether we’re facing more prestigious or easier sides is irrelevant.”


Milan were the least affected by the Calciopoli scandal, as Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina had stronger penalties, while Juventus were demoted and stripped of two Serie A titles.


“Italian football has changed a great deal and naturally the most obvious difference is seeing Juventus in Serie B. As a sportsman, I feel it’s right to pay for certain mistakes, but at the same time I hope to see Juve back in Serie A from next season. Italian football needs this club and we respect them as opponents.”


The San Siro giants had originally seen their Champions League status removed as a result of the scandal, but they entered through the preliminary round and were paired in Group H with AEK Athens, Anderlecht and Lille.


“It’s clear that we were luckier in the draw than in previous years, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easier,” warned Maldini.


“History has shown us that it’s often more difficult to win a group with less prestigious sides than when facing bigger clubs. In Europe nowadays every team can put you under pressure and so we must be extremely careful.”


Football Italia

I feel he cant give 100% the way he used too, but he will definatly give his all for the last season

people here keep saying it's his last season; I don't (want to) think so!!!!

Ofcourse u don't and for some reason, I dont feel like it's his last cause he's been with us since I first got into the game .. A loooooong time ago

And the day that he hangs up his boots will be a huge blow to us all .. But I think he'll still be strongly involved with Milan and the team Cuz that's the only thing he has known ever since he got his first contract at Milan.

its weird to see him retire.

if maldini retires seedorf should be our next captain

why not Gatusso?

I`ve said this many times before. We need a rational captain, someone who calms down a possible fight or disruption, someone who can be taken as an example..and do you see the picture now? Sure, Gattuso has great motivating skills, but that he does allways, even without that magicall armband.

haha well put and its true. the last thing a team needs is having to stop their captain from getting into a fight.

haha well put and its true. the last thing a team needs is having to stop their captain from getting into a fight.

hope to see Maldini Jr. soon...any clue what position he plays?? I hope I can see Maldini Jr slide tackle the sh!t out of Messi( I wanna see the look on dst's face).

As skipper...I'm going with Pirlo or Nesta, hard pressed to choose between the two..

Oh and you know I like defenders more than attackers ... stealing the ball the way Paolo does is art so I'd love to see Christian make Messi cry!!!!

The way it looks right now .. I think the only person to Captain this team after Paolo is gone would be Nesta, IMO. Some might argue otherwise that he is a Lazio player at heart, but I doubt he will move from Milan anytime soon, plus he is only getting older, he turns 30 in a couple of months.

I'd love to see Messi's face when a 38 yr old Paolo keeps him quite, just as he kept C.Ronaldo .. That would be a treat

Hoo boy...Paolo was the reason I got hooked onto football.  I saw Paolo for the first time playing for the Azzuri, I was a Paolo fan and hence became an Azzuri fan. Had absolutely no knowlege of clubs, at that time in India, football didn't mean much, it's not improved a lot but at least people know what Man U and Chelsea mean...

I guess I could say Paolo was the only reason I started supporting Milan, and now look at me, I see the world in red and black...

Grazie Paolo in more ways than one...hope to see Maldini Jr. soon...any clue what position he plays?? I hope I can see Maldini Jr slide tackle the sh!t out of Messi( I wanna see the look on dst's face).

As skipper...I'm going with Pirlo or Nesta, hard pressed to choose between the two..

that would be am easy task for Maldini!!!!
It's funny ... you mention his age as negative but Paolo (like wine) only gets better with age !!!!!