His handsome looks, flowing locks and easy style of play all helped create a mystique around the AC Milan and Italy legend who has gone down as, arguably, the greatest defender ever. Maldini was the complete player, quick, tall, strong and brilliant on the ball with both feet, but his brain - his ability to spot danger before it happened and his ice cool composure - was his greatest strength.

In fact, Maldini averaged less than a tackle a game throughout his career, later stating: "If I have to make a tackle then I have already made a mistake. "I don’t think tackling is a quality. It is something you have to resort to, not a characteristic of your game."