#4 Paolo Maldini - AC Milan
The legendary Paolo Maldini remains amongst the very few players who have managed to stay put at a club, irrespective of the highs and lows experienced by him during his time at AC Milan.
The former Italy international won an incredible 26 trophies, with the club where he began his footballing journey, during 25 years of senior football. Milan have since retired his number in his honour.
Despite being in his prime for a long duration of time, the player did have moments when he believed a move away from Milan would do him a world of good. Speaking to Sky Sports last year, the former Milan captain explained how he came close to joining the then up-and-coming Chelsea team under compatriot Gianluca Vialli, who was the manager of the London club from 1998 until 2000.
“I bet he will not confirm this, but Gianluca was the only one who approached me during my 20-year-career with Milan and offered me the chance to move. I considered his offer, because I was hurt by some things that had been said about me, but then I preferred to remain with the club of my heart,” said Maldini.
Even the legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has expressed his admiration for the centre-back and even wanted to sign him to shore up his defensive options, only for Maldini to turn down his offer.
