Daniel Maldini starts for Milan against Spezia, continuing the glorious tradition of his family in a Red and Black shirt.
Stefano Pioli has picked the 19-year-old to start as an attacking midfielder behind Olivier Giroud in the Rossoneri’s away clash at Spezia.
With Brahim Diaz, who needs to rest, and Junior Messias still on the treatment table, Maldini gets his third appearance in Serie A this season, the first one as a starter in his career.
Born on October 11, 2001, Daniel is the second son of Paolo Maldini, the legendary Rossoneri and Italy defender now serving as the club’s Technical Director.
It goes without saying that Daniel is a product of Milan academy, just like his father.
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Daniel made his senior debut in February 2020 in Milan’s 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona.
The following October, he started his first game with the senior team in the Europa League play-offs against Rio Ave and he currently has 14 appearances across all competitions with the senior team.
He will be hoping to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, two Milan legends.
Differently from them, Daniel is a creative midfielder, while both Cesare and Paolo were defenders.
Cesare joined the Rossoneri from Triestina in 1954 and collected 412 games with the Rossoneri.
He won four Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the first European Cup (now Champions League) ever won by an Italian club.
He became Italy coach, leading the Azzurri to the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup.
Cesare Maldini died on April 3, 2016, aged 84.
His son Paolo was one of the best defenders in the history of the game.
A product of Milan academy, he spent his whole career with the Rossoneri, playing 902 games with the Serie A giants.
He won five Champions League, seven Serie A titles, five UEFA Super Cups, and five Italian Super Cups.
In August 2018, he was appointed Milan Technical Director and has led the Rossoneri to return to Champions League football for the first time in eight years.
He held the record for the most appearances in Serie A with 647 games played. Gigi Buffon broke his record during his second spell with Juventus reaching 657 appearances in 2019-20.
Paolo Maldini played 126 games with the Azzurri. Only Fabio Cannavaro and Gigi Buffon have more.