Rafael Leao has bid farewell to Paolo Maldini via a post on his Instagram account, thanking him for the bond that they formed together.
Through a statement on their official website Milan announced Maldini’s departure and one is expected to follow for Massara too, leaving the Milan world in shock given we are less than 48 hours on from the end of the 2022-23 season.
In a post on his Instagram account, Leao said: “A thank you is not enough. An exemplary person with a huge heart and unparalleled determination. It was a pleasure to have experienced several moments with you, all the best for the future. Sempre Milan.”
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Glad he said Sempre Milan.
While Theo wrote Sempre Maldini 😂
OMG, you’re right…
Jesus this is just awful. So sad.
One thing Maldini brought to Milan was the work ethic and discipline of his great Milan sides.
Whilst he was not directly responsible for this it was his aura.
This stuff matters. When Ferguson retired from Man Utd the exact same squad went from 1st to 7th and they’ve never recovered.
A club’s identity is absolute key. It’s the foundations on which everything is built.
Maldini’s first move was to bring in Kjaer and Ibra – the latter especially a proven winner.
But he also was essential he keeping players on the straight and narrow. It was always touch and go for the likes of Theo and Leao. Had they signed for Milan at any time in the previous years they probably would’ve been failures alongside all the other failures.
That’s what people don’t get. It’s not as simple as just going out and signing players like some computer game. The transfer market is not where titles are won and lost. It’s complimentary at best. But if the foundations aren’t there no transfers can help.
Cardinale has ripped the heart and soul out of this Milan side.
My prediction: Pioli to be sacked by Christmas, and Milan to fail to qualify for the champions league next season.
I hope I’m wrong but I’ve got a really bad feeling about this. And a very sour taste in my mouth.
You have spoken my mind. Exactly, what happened to Chelsea is set to be expected from Milan too. No futuristic player like Leao, Theo and others could be signed anymore, never expect any bond between coaching staff, players and the likes again. So so sad when I saw the news but I’ve foresighted it during their last negotiation for the new contract. I’ll be surprised if the story comes other way round next season. May God spare our life to see it all. Forza Milan!
What hurts most about all this is, knowing him, Maldini will not say a single word!! One wishes he stings one last time, he throws a punch or says something that we can hang on as we live through this anxiety! No, not him. He’ll just hold his class and take his aura along with him!!
Living thousands of km from Milan, you feel you know him so well, then when he goes classy, you miss him like hell!!
Godspeed Maldini. Say hi once in a while to the hearts that you have inspired for all these years.
Forza Milan.