Question 1

True or false: The number 3 jersey was retired by AC Milan when Maldini left the club.

Accepted Answer

True. AC Milan retired the number 3 shirt in his honor, but allowed his son Daniel to wear it in 2020.

Question 2

True or false: Maldini played for Italy at five different World Cups.

Accepted Answer

True. He appeared in 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, and captained the team in 2002—a rare feat for any player.

Question 3

True or false: Maldini scored a goal in the 2005 Champions League final.

Accepted Answer

True. He scored a stunning volley in the first minute against Liverpool, but Milan lost on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Question 4

True or false: His father Cesare Maldini once coached him at AC Milan.

Accepted Answer

False. Cesare Maldini coached Italy, not AC Milan, during Paolo's career. Paolo was never coached by his father at club level.

Question 5

True or false: Maldini never received a red card in his entire Serie A career.

Accepted Answer

True. In over 600 Serie A appearances, Maldini was never sent off—a testament to his clean, intelligent defending.

Question 6

True or false: He won the Ballon d'Or in 2003 as the world's best player.

Accepted Answer

False. Maldini never won the Ballon d'Or. He finished third in 1995 and 2003, behind players like Nedvěd.

Question 7

True or false: Maldini played exclusively as a left-back for his entire club career.

Accepted Answer

False. He started as a right-back, moved to left-back, and later became a world-class center-back under Sacchi and Ancelotti.

Question 8

True or false: He retired from international football in 2002 after a dispute with the coach.

Accepted Answer

False. Maldini retired from international duty in 2002 after the World Cup, but it was amicable, not due to a dispute.

Paolo Maldini Trivia Questions