1 Cesare Maldini
One of the greatest dynasties in football would never have existed if not for AC Milan luring a young centre-back from a small club called Triestina. Cesare Maldini was a callow 22 year old when he transferred to Milan in 1954, and even if Nostradamus was a Rossoneri fan, he could scarcely have predicted the impact that single signature had on the fortunes of the club.
Cesare Maldini went on to become one of Milan’s stalwarts, winning 4 Serie A league titles, including one in his debut season. His greatest moment, however, was lifting the European Cup in 1962/63, when Milan defeated Benfica to win their first ever European Cup, with Maldini becoming the first Italian to ever hold that trophy aloft. The elder statesman went on to manage Milan after his playing career, but a more significant contribution to Milanese history came from the fruit of his loins.
Paolo Maldini, son of Cesare Maldini, is one of the Italian clubs favourite sons, notwithstanding his bittersweet farewell to the club thanks to some ungrateful ultras. Considered one of the greatest defenders to have ever played the game, the Maldini dynasty is synonymous with Milan, with the club in mourning when Cesare died in April earlier this year. To think 50+ years of history would have never occured if not for a single signing is a truly sobering thought.
