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Paolo Maldini Proved He Had The Heart Of A Warrior After Getting Kicked All Game And Not Giving A S**t

Home> Football

Published 10:12 29 Jun 2022 GMT+1

Paolo Maldini Proved He Had The Heart Of A Warrior After Getting Kicked All Game And Not Giving A S**t

Think about how players would react nowadays.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Paolo Maldini was once kicked from pillar to post by Juventus players and he brushed it off like it was nothing.

The AC Milan icon is regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation and he represented the Rossoneri for a quarter of a century.

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He was captain for 13 years too and led by example, flying into tackles and putting his body on the line for the team.

What you didn't see very often was Maldini himself being targeted by the opposition. Back in March 2004, Juventus tried just that and it makes for fascinating viewing.

Milan took the lead through Andriy Shevchenko and looked in control, neatly passing around at the back.

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That infuriated Juventus' players and they attempted to press high while looking for an equaliser.

Lilian Thuram approached Maldini and bundled him to the ground for a foul, which brought a wry smile from the veteran.

A brace from Clarence Seedorf saw Milan go 3-0 up and that infuriated Mauro Camoranesi, who lunged in on Maldini on the counter.

It was a nasty one that came from behind, so what did Maldini do? Pop back up as if nothing had happened.

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Camoranesi was booked by referee Pierluigi Collina and Maldini walked away before taking a glimpse at his protesting foe.

Milan would go on to win the game 3-1 and the Serie A title a few months later. They'd also win that year's Champions League, overcoming Juventus in a rather drab final on penalties.

Image
Vintage Footy

Fans have reacted to the footage and they think modern players wouldn't be able to shrug off challenges that fierce.

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One commented: "He knew it was just business. Not fazed at all."

Another said: "Those tackles today, they would be career ending, what a player he was."

A third tweeted: "Greatest defender I’ve ever seen play the game. Literally had everything in his locker. Legend!"

While someone put: "A player who can take it as much as he gives. They don't make them like this anymore."

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Maldini retired in 2007 and finished his career with a slew of honours. He won 26 trophies and made 902 appearances for Milan while earning 126 caps for Italy.

He's now technical director at Milan and helped the club win their first Serie A title in 11 years last season.

Featured Image Credit: Vintage Footy/YouTube

Topics: Paolo Maldini, AC Milan, Juventus

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

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@DanMarland_

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