Daniel Maldini Becomes Italy’s First Third-Generation Player, but Does He Deserve It?

One name in particular on Luciano Spalletti’s Italy list was as familiar as it is unfamiliar. The usual Azzurri stalwarts were there: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Federico Dimarco. 

Yet, near the bottom in the forward section was a Maldini.

The Maldini name in the Italy setup is nothing new, and seeing it on an Italy squad list is familiar to anyone who has watched the Italian game over the past 40 years.

But those who tapped out of Serie A over the past decade could be forgiven for thinking Spalletti had made an error and included a long-retired Paolo Maldini in the squad by accident.

Yet it’s his son, Daniel, who’s been included.

Having represented Italy at various youth levels, Maldini Jnr was given the call to join the senior squad for the games against Belgium and Israel in the latest series of UEFA Nations League fixtures. And in the process, he has become the third generation of one family representing Italy in the nation’s history. Even two generations is rare for the Azzurri, with Enrico and Federico Chiesa and Valentino and Sandro Mazzola being the only examples.

Nepotism?

It’s been 22 years since a Maldini last featured for Italy, yet it’s completely warranted. Daniel isn’t in the squad due to possessing a legendary name. The 22-year-old has been one of Monza’s best performers in what has been a horrendous start to the season for the club owned by the Berlusconi family. Prior to the draw against Roma, Monza were rock bottom of the table despite possessing a more-than-capable squad.

A squad containing Serie A veterans Andrea Petagna, Matteo Pessina, Armando Izzo, Gianluca Caprari and Roberto Gagliardini, who all know their way around the division, should be enough for the Monza to stay afloat this season, yet Maldini has been their best performer in the early stages of the campaign. Moreover, such has been his form that there’s been talk of Inter Milan putting in a bid for Maldini next summer.

This would roll a few eyeballs, to say the least.

Operating as an attacking midfielder along with Pessina behind a central striker, Maldini’s stats don’t seem overly impressive: only one goal and an assist in seven games, yet the manner of his performances has impressed Spalletti most.

“He is a player that we have been missing,” Spalletti said of Maldini.

“He has a beautiful way of playing, he holds his own in tackles, he knows how to get his nose in front of defenders and it becomes difficult to catch him. 

“He knows how to play with his back to goal, sometimes he can go quiet in games, but I’ve seen him play with continuity and I think he’s grown significantly.”

Given the family name, there is pressure on Maldini to perform well for Italy. Yet it’s something he’s lived with throughout his young career. Paolo enjoyed a 14-year international career, earning 126 caps — many of them as captain — and playing in the final of USA ’94 and Euro 2000. Maldini’s heartbreak at international level is the only blemish on his career, with the iconic left-back losing out on both trophies due to a combination of a penalty shootout and a golden goal. 

The first generation of Maldini, Cesare, served Italy in the early 1960s. However, he never reached the heights of his more famous son. He played 14 times but perhaps is more well known for coaching the Azzurri in France ’98. Maldini spent eight years coaching the Azzurini before he took over in the wake of the disastrous Arrigo Sacchi era in late 1996 and guided Italy to a quarter-final finish in France. 

Yet the consensus has always been that Maldini could’ve — and should’ve — done better considering the talent of the squad at his disposal. His decision to opt for Alessandro Del Piero over an in-form Roberto Baggio against Les Bleus in Paris has always been viewed as a critical mistake, and Italy’s third consecutive elimination on penalties signalled the end of his short reign.

Moreover, there was that potentially awkward dichotomy where Maldini Snr coached Jnr, yet there were never any cries of nepotism given Maldini’s status as the best left-back in the world at the time. 

Daniel, thankfully, won’t have to make his debut for Italy with his dad as boss. Paolo has made it plainly clear over the years that he has little intention to get involved in the coaching side of the game. Yet the pressure to live up to the family name is huge, and could potentially overwhelm the Nazionale newcomer.

The games against Belgium and Israel are the ideal situations to throw Maldini into the mix and see how he performs. His form deserves as much.

And considering the surname on the back of his shirt, the pressure of playing for Italy will seem like a Sunday stroll along the Navigli in Milan — a city synonymous with the name Maldini.

Read our Milano Calcio Weekender here.

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