Birth Date: June 26 1968
Birth Place: Milan
Birth Nation: Italy
Height: 186cm
Weight: 84kg
Nationality: Italian
Position: Defender
Paolo Maldini Rumours and Transfers
22 10 2007
Italy are dominating the Golden Ball list of 50 candidates with eight players, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona each contributed seven names on the list.
- Golden Ball 2007 nominees:
Éric Abidal (Olympique Lyon, FC Barcelona)
Daniel Alves (FC Sevilla)
David Beckham (Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy)
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Deco (FC Barcelona)
Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid)
Diego (Werder Bremen)
Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Michael Essien (Chelsea)
Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona)
Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Gennaro Gattuso (Milan)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Ryan Giggs (Manchester United)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal, FC Barcelona)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter)
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
Kaka (Milan)
Frederic Kanoute (FC Sevilla)
Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen, Bayern Munchen)
Younis Mahmoud (Algharafa)
Paolo Maldini (Milan)
Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyon, Chelsea)
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic Glasgow)
Guillermo Ochoa (America Mexico)
Andrea Pirlo (Milan),
Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto),
Raul (Real Madrid)
Franck Ribery (Olympique Marseille, Bayern Munchen),
Juan Roman Riquelme (Boca Juniors, Villarreal)
Robinho (Real Madrid)
Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Clarence Seedorf (Milan)
Carlos Tevez (West Ham, Manchester United)
Luca Toni (Fiorentina, Bayern Munchen)
Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
Jose Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid, Liverpool)
Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
David Villa (Valencia)
06 10 2007
As Nelson Dida's own teammates turn against him for his Glasgow theatrics, AC Milan are looking at immediate alternatives – Gianluca Pagliuca and Angelo Peruzzi.
The Brazilian shot-stopper had already been a controversial figure within the club, as the fans never quite forgave his long drawn-out contract renewal saga last year and repeatedly jeered him at San Siro this season.
His dreadful performance in the 2-1 defeat to Celtic – where he was at fault for the two goals and then appeared to feign injury after a fan confronted him – could be the final straw.
This week both Kaka and defender Massimo Oddo have publicly criticised Dida's behaviour in that incident, when he was stretchered off clutching an ice-pack to his head.
'Dida is going through a tough time,' said Oddo. 'He didn't behave appropriately, but he realises what he has done and I don't think it will ever happen again.'
He could risk a Champions League ban for his theatrics, so Milan are looking elsewhere for an immediate reinforcement.
Until the January transfer window opens, they can only sign players who are out of contract and so the choice has come down to two golden oldies.
Peruzzi retired from football in the summer, rejecting pleas from Lazio to continue for another year, but it is reported today that Milan director Ariedo Braida has called to ask about his fitness levels.
Some sources even suggested Peruzzi was spotted in the city of Milan to discuss contract terms.
'At the moment I am fine like this, as I do not miss football,' Peruzzi told Radio Deejay. 'Having said that, if Milan called me I certainly wouldn't say no.'
Another new rumour comes from someone who has no intention of retiring, despite being left without a club this season.
Pagliuca's deal with Ascoli expired and he has been waiting for a suitable opportunity to continue his career.
He would become the latest in a long line of former Inter players to cross the city divide and with 592 Serie A appearances under his belt is still capable of catching Milan's Paolo Maldini on 600.
These would be stop-gap solutions until January, when a new goalkeeper capable of entering the Champions League squad came into the picture.
While Christian Abbiati could return early from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid, a more likely candidate is Livorno's Marco Amelia – currently the Italy number two behind Gianluigi Buffon.
