ITALIAN SOCCER SERIE A.COM Congratulates Captain Paolo Maldini for making history reaching 1,000 Performances and for being the living spirit of AC MILAN

Not only Paolo Maldini represents a legend for AC MILAN, but he also represents a legend for Italian football. 

Maldini's legend goes beyond the Empire of the Rossoneri, just like the English daily newspapers called him:  'History Man', the symbol of the game.

Indeed, it was the English newspaper Daily Mirror to call Paolo Maldini like this, following my favorite victory match in the Champions League of Milan at Manchester against Juventus. How could one forget this final?  Manchester, in 2003, Paolo Maldini captain of Milan. Wembley, in 1963, Cesare Maldini captain of Milan. Things which happen to a few. No actually to no one. Only to Paolo Maldini and only here.  Wow, these words make every Milan fan feel so proud for having such a distinguished Captain.  Maldini is more than a Captain for Milan fans, he is part of each family, a dear member.

Not only fans are touched by Maldini's impressive 1,000 performance, but the Captain himself is touched seeing what he has accomplished with the support of his family, coach, teammates, and fans.

Just like Milan describes Maldini, "A thousand games touch even a balanced champion like him. The Milan captain has always been respectful in the wins and calibrated in the defeats. No excess in celebrations, no drama. The way of Paolo Maldini has always been more adequate. But in front of 1000 official games, even he melted. It couldn't be otherwise. And it's on the back of this new monumental target that tomorrow he will be present at London, leading the Rossoneri against Arsenal."

Following the 1000 official games, a target dedicated to his wife Adriana, Paolo Maldini is ready to  continue making history flying towards England, where 5 years ago they started calling him Legend... wow, congrats Maldini. You are the man! The History Man!

Here is a summary of this living football legend:

OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH MILAN: 860
DEBUT GAME: Udinese-Milan 1-1, 20th January 1985

OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM: 126 (Record)
DEBUT GAME: Yugoslavia-Italy 1-1, 31st March 1988

OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE UNDER 21: 12
OFFICIAL GAMES OF PAOLO MALDINI WITH THE OLYMPIC NATIONAL TEAM: 1

PAOLO MALDINI'S WINS WITH MILAN:
7 SCUDETTI - 5 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 1 WORLD CLUB CUP - 2 INTERCONTINENTAL CUPS - 5 EUROPEAN SUPER CUPS - 5 ITALIAN SUPER CUPS - 1 COPPA ITALIA

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
7 September 1988: VITOCHIA SOFIA-MILAN 0-2, Paolo Maldini's debut in the Champions Cup
22 March 2003: MILAN-JUVENTUS 2-1, 500th game of Paolo Maldini in Serie A
11 March 2007: INTER-MILAN 2-1, 600th game of Paolo Maldini in Serie A
26 November 2003: AJAX-MILAN 0-1, 100th game of Paolo Maldini in Champions Cup/Champions League