Debs

Debs · 21-02-2008, 08:05

I simply cannot say enough about Paolo Maldini. My one true regret is not having discovered him earlier in his career, so I would have all the longer to enjoy him and talents. Yes, very greedy of me! Each year I have felt a growing dread and now we've come to that pinnacle....Maldini says he is retiring at the end of the season.

I can't blame him--he plays hard and he's been a lucky man in that his injuries have been few and he's been able to shake them off quickly, until the last year or so. I watch him still, holding my breath, and I catch many glimpses of the "old" Maldini and feel only pride. So few have accomplished what he has, so few have stayed with one team...and so few are such truly wonderful human beings!

My most treasured memories will not be of watching him at the San Siro, or even of watching him goof off at practices; my treasured memories will be of meeting him! Within touching distance of a god, one could say! Instead of walkign by with his nose in the air, or pulling out his phone and pretending to have a call, his face lit up to hear an American say his name and he strode right up to me smiling, asking me where I was from, New York or LA? Ummm, Paolino, there are many places in the US between those 2 spots, so I explained where I was from and gave him momentos from my shcool which he didn't just tuck under his arm--he admired them and thanked me profusely. Who knows, maybe the streets of Milan have been graced by the occasional glimpse of an MPS tee shirt! But not to drag on the memory...just let me say that I've never met such a great person who was so down to earth, gracious and friendly! And to end the memory, I watched as he drove out of the Milanello gates and just as graciously stopped his car to sign autographs and even got out to pose for a few pictures with onlookers!

Maldini...to me, not just a great player....but also a great person!!

FORZA MALDINI...per siempre....

21-02-2008, 08:05	#29
Debs Administrator Join Date: 03 1999 Location: Planet Earth Fave Players: Maldini......	I simply cannot say enough about Paolo Maldini. My one true regret is not having discovered him earlier in his career, so I would have all the longer to enjoy him and talents. Yes, very greedy of me! Each year I have felt a growing dread and now we've come to that pinnacle....Maldini says he is retiring at the end of the season. I can't blame him--he plays hard and he's been a lucky man in that his injuries have been few and he's been able to shake them off quickly, until the last year or so. I watch him still, holding my breath, and I catch many glimpses of the "old" Maldini and feel only pride. So few have accomplished what he has, so few have stayed with one team...and so few are such truly wonderful human beings! My most treasured memories will not be of watching him at the San Siro, or even of watching him goof off at practices; my treasured memories will be of meeting him! Within touching distance of a god, one could say! Instead of walkign by with his nose in the air, or pulling out his phone and pretending to have a call, his face lit up to hear an American say his name and he strode right up to me smiling, asking me where I was from, New York or LA? Ummm, Paolino, there are many places in the US between those 2 spots, so I explained where I was from and gave him momentos from my shcool which he didn't just tuck under his arm--he admired them and thanked me profusely. Who knows, maybe the streets of Milan have been graced by the occasional glimpse of an MPS tee shirt! But not to drag on the memory...just let me say that I've never met such a great person who was so down to earth, gracious and friendly! And to end the memory, I watched as he drove out of the Milanello gates and just as graciously stopped his car to sign autographs and even got out to pose for a few pictures with onlookers! Maldini...to me, not just a great player....but also a great person!! FORZA MALDINI...per siempre.... __________________ ...not your normal paranormal.... Last edited by Debs; 21-02-2008 at 08:13.