AC Milan: The 20 Greatest Rossoneri of All-Time | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Position: Defender

Nationality: Italian

Appearances: 902 (first all time)

Club: Serie A (7): 1987-1988, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1995-1996, 1998-1999, 2003-2004; Coppa Italia (1): 2002-2003; Italian Supercup (5): 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004; UEFA Champions League (5): 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1993-1994, 2002-2003, 2006-2007; UEFA Super Cup (5): 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007; Intercontinental Cup (2): 1989, 1990; FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2007

Individual: 1989 European U-21 Player of the Year; 2003 UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match; 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year Silver Ball; Ballon d'Or Bronze Award (2): 1994, 2003; 2004 Serie A Defender of the Year; FIFA 100; UEFA Team of the Year (2): 2003, 2005; ESM Team of the Year (4): 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1999-2000, 2002-2003; 2005 FIFPro World XI; 2006-2007 UEFA Champions League Best Defender; 2009 UEFA Champions League Achievement Award; Holds UEFA Champions League and Serie A records for appearances

Well, there have been many legendary players for Milan, but none has been more celebrated than Paolo Maldini.

Milan's all-time appearance leader also holds the appearance record for the Champions League and Serie A. Few players have even come close to winning those competitions as often as Maldini did. Five European Cups, seven Scudetti, and 21 major trophies overall in 25 seasons.

After one appearance at the end of the 1984-1985 season, Maldini became a regular in the Milan setup at the age of 17. He was thrown into the team with Franco Baresi at an incredibly young age and didn't disappoint.

Maldini was absolutely incredible in his time and is considered one of the greatest defenders of all time. Even after the Golden Age had passed and players like Baresi and Tassotti retired, Maldini continued to dominate.

Maldini's famous No. 3 is one of the two numbers, along with Baresi's, that has been retired by the club. The only way it will be worn again is if one of Maldini's sons, Christian or Daniel, plays for the club. Both are in the youth system.

With all the honors, all the success and the continued dominance until his retirement at the age of 41, he is undoubtedly the greatest player in Milan history. There are many other legends, but Maldini is first among them.