Former Italy And AC Milan Legend Cesare Maldini Dies At 84

Sad to hear the passing of Cesare Maldini this morning.

At club level, Maldini won 4 Serie A league titles and 1 European Cup with Milan. Internationally, he played for the Italian national team, earning 14 caps and participating in the 1962 World Cup. As a coach, he had a successful career in charge of the Italian Under-21 side, winning the European Under-21 Football championship a record three consecutive times.

He was Married to Maria Luisa bearing six sons, one was Paolo a defender who once held the record for the most caps for the Italian national team (now third behind Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro). Paolo Maldini captained Milan to the UEFA Champions League title in 2003 and 2007. Maldini’s grandsons, Christian and Daniel also play football in Milan junior teams.

Milan said in a statement: “AC Milan sends its condolences to the Maldini following the passing of Rossoneri great Cesare Maldini. Cesare skippered the club to its first European Cup triumph in 1963 at Wembley and the loss of such a key figure in Rossoneri history has left everyone at AC Milan moved and saddened. Cesare had recently turned 84 and he left his mark at the club not only as a player, but also as a coach and scout. The club president Silvio Berlusconi and the rest of the club will always remember fondly his charisma, kindness and warm smile.”

Football has also reacted to this saddened news. Tweets:

“Our hearts are broken. The Milan world is in mourning for Cesare Maldini. #RIPCesare pic.twitter.com/LnPU0e0VDu”

— AC Milan NYC (@ACMilanNYC) April 3, 2016

“#CesareMaldini has passed away; a minute’s silence will take place before all matches: /1TsP7Un pic.twitter.com/TrH4GXb4OF “

—Italy (@azzurri) April 3, 2016

“AC Milan great Cesare Maldini has died aged 84. In 1963 he became the first Italian to lift the European Cup. pic.twitter.com/OgDoAZ6ZAD “

— Champions League (@Championsleague) April 3, 2016

“#CesareMaldini rest in peace and condolence to the #Maldini family @acmilan clzp.co/L5Z1”

— Ruud Gullit (GullitR) April 3, 2016

AC Milan tweeted:”Goodbye dear Cesare. Today the world loses a great man and we lose a page of our history.”

RIP Cesare. WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU