Daniel Maldini Becomes Third Generation to Play for Italy

Daniel Maldini made history by becoming the third generation of his family to play for Italy during their Nations League victory over Israel. The 23-year-old Monza attacking midfielder followed in the footsteps of his father Paolo, who earned 126 caps and his grandfather Cesare, who represented Italy 14 times. Like his father and grandfather, Maldini also played for AC Milan.

Maldini made his debut in the 74th minute, replacing Giacomo Raspadori and expressed his joy about the occasion. “It was a strong, positive feeling,” he said. “I’m very happy that I came on and that the match went well. I’m glad my parents were here to watch. I will talk to them when I get home.” Meanwhile, Italy convincingly won the match 4-1 with Giovanni di Lorenzo scoring twice alongside goals from Mateo Retegui and Davide Frattesi.

In contrast, Mohamed Abu Fani scored the lone goal for Israel, who played their first match outside Hungary in 2024. Ultimately, this match marked a significant moment for the Daniel Maldini family as it is the first time a grandfather, father and son have all played for the Italy national team. Consequently, the legacy of the Maldini family continues to thrive showcasing their long-standing connection to Italian football and their contributions to the national team.