Paolo Maldini

“My father was a coach, so there was a lot of moving around, not having a base.”

“Sometimes when you have difficulties qualifying, you can still go and play a good World Cup.”

“I love sport, and I play to keep myself fine in the mind, because it helps there.”

“Galliani is a great leader but can't understand players.”

“I started playing when I was 10 for Milan, and I quit when I was 41, so it's a long, long career.”

“Milan has no reservations signing veteran players and has always taken into account the image and communication factors.”

“I have a great relationship with the fans. They love me; they have always shown that.”

“Milan is not just a team for me. It is part of my life.”

“It would be great to lift the Champions League trophy.”

“San Siro is a tricky stadium. If you have the right personality, it helps you. But if you don't have the right personality, it can be very hard to play in San Siro.”

“You cannot choose your opponents.”

“There's nothing unusual about serving the same employer for 23 years.”

“Bringing in innovation and youth is not a bad thing: it is a courageous choice.”

“I think Milan lack a bit of renovation and planning for the future. Too often, they focused only on the present, particularly after the 2007 Champions League triumph.”

“I'm not working in football. Basically, I'm a father with two kids and taking some time for myself. I played for 25 years, and I believe I need some space for myself.”

“My father instilled in me the need to behave correctly on and off the pitch.”

“My father used to give me a lot of advice.”

“I have great respect for the Premier League, but why leave Milan? I've got everything I want here.”

“I won my first Champions League in 1989, and I won my last one 18 years later.”

“I was fortunate enough to be with Milan for 25 splendid years. When I arrived, I found a great foundation to build a great club.”