Across the soccer world, debates over the greatest players in history are commonplace. Fans and experts alike weigh in, but when a legend like Paolo Maldini speaks, his opinion carries weight. The Italian great surprised many by excluding both Cristiano Ronaldo and Pelé from his all-time top three.
That’s right—Pelé, the Brazilian icon who won three World Cups and Cristiano Ronaldo who holds the record for being the top scorer in soccer history with 928 goal , didn’t make Maldini’s cut. Instead, the former AC Milan defender selected three players from different eras in his ranking.
In the documentary Ronaldo: El Fenómeno, which chronicles the life of Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário, Maldini made his choices clear. “Messi, Maradona, and him,” Maldini said in 2022, referencing the legendary No. 9 he once played alongside at AC Milan.
Maldini’s remarks sparked widespread discussion, especially since he never played with or against Lionel Messi. Despite that, his admiration for the Argentine’s abilities led him to include Messi over stars like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, and Francesco Totti.
Francesco Totti of Roma Paolo Maldini of Milan in action during the Serie A match between Roma and Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. (New Press/Getty Images)
Maldini’s post-retirement career
After retiring on May 31, 2009, Paolo Maldini took a long break from soccer before returning as AC Milan’s sporting director from 2018 to 2023. In addition to his soccer career, Maldini also ventured into business. In 2015, he became a co-owner and co-founder of Miami FC, a team in the USL Championship.
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Maldini wanted to bring Messi to AC Milan
During his tenure as AC Milan’s sporting director, Maldini witnessed Lionel Messi announce his departure from FC Barcelona. With Messi’s future uncertain, several clubs expressed interest, including AC Milan. Maldini revealed he made an attempt to bring the superstar to the San Siro.
“For ten days, we tried to bring Messi to Milan, but then we realized it was impossible,” Maldini said on the PoretCast podcast. “It was already too late, but a player like Messi is a spectacle anyone would want to see. When I read he might even join Inter, I was terrified!” Ultimately, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain, forming a star-studded squad alongside Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Sergio Ramos, among others.
