AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini has revealed his exclusive list of the greatest footballers he has ever seen
The 54-year-old has made room for some of the game's greats, including Ronaldo Nazario and Diego Maradona
However, his three-man list features the notable absence of Portuguese phenomenon, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Paolo Maldini, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time, mentioned Diego Maradona and two other football legends as the greatest players he has ever seen.
The iconic Italian has faced some of the biggest names in the game during a career that spanned nearly three decades.
Paolo Maldini, Argentina, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, the greatest
Paolo Maldini named Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona on his list of the three greatest players he has ever seen. Credit photo:
The AC Milan legend faced off against mysterious Argentine Diego Armando Maradona, three-time World Player of the Year winner Ronaldo Nazario, Brazilian smooth Ronaldinho and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane.
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Maldini has broadened his range of greatest interests of all time to include Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario - two players he regularly faced during their time at Napoli and Inter Milan, GOAL reported.
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It also includes seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and reigning FIFA Men's Player of the Year Lionel Messi, although he has never walked past him.
"The three greatest players I've seen in my career are Messi, Maradona and him [Ronaldo Nazario]," Paolo told Tribuna in the documentary about Ronaldo Nazario, O Fenomeno.
Interesting absences
In an attempt to name Ronaldo Nazario, Messi and Maradona, the 54-year-old had to carefully remove some of the game's greatest players.
Brazilian legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, affectionately known as Pelé, died last December after a long battle with cancer and Ronaldinho is gone. Read more
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Not to mention Zinedine Zidane and Lionel Messi's arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo could not make Maldini's illustrious list.
Maldini extends technical director role
Sports Brief has reported that Paolo Maldini will remain AC Milan's technical director after signing a new two-year contract.
Iconic Milan, Maldini's new contract means the seven-time European champions will retain the duo that built their Scudetto-winning side.
He's criticized Milan's signing of some of their most important players, one example being the now famous meeting in Ibiza, which was crucial in bringing Theo Hernandez to the club in 2019.
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