Daniel Maldini, son of AC Milan legend Paolo and grandson of the late Cesare spoken to La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview where he discussed several topics.
Here's how he started
"Monza? My place in the world. I felt at home right away; the results have been visible and are still showing. I needed to be calm but also to have more responsibility. Because feeling them makes me feel good and makes me feel alive and present. It’s nice to know that the coach and teammates have confidence in you."
When CEO Adriano Galliani reached out to you last summer, how did it go?
"I sensed his desire to have me back. And for me, this club has always been the first choice; all I could think about was returning."
Did you expect to stay at Milan?
"It's a matter of choices that I respect."
Have you ever thought about removing your surname from your jersey and just putting Daniel? For example, Cruyff's son did it...
"Never. And the more you think about it, the worse it is. Those are thoughts I leave to others."
Monza is still looking for its first win in the league despite good performances: what's missing?
"A piece each time; we're working on adding that. Victories will come; we've lost points due to details, and now it's time to push and recover."
How do you find Alessandro Nesta as a coach? Daniel Maldini replied:
"He demands a lot from me, but that's normal. Everyone needs to contribute, even with sacrifices."
Since your debut in Serie A in 2020, with Milan, how have you changed?
"I've gained more awareness of my abilities. This helps me perform better."
Some say you're not fully aware of the means at your disposal...
"(Smiles) I should be more aware, that's true..."
What does experience bring you?
"It helps me to block time, to reflect on what is best for my well-being."
Are you self-critical? Daniel Maldini commented:
"Maybe even too much."
What do you ask of yourself?
"Not to stop; I don't want to sit back."
What would make you happy? If Monza were to stay up, maybe in advance... At the end of this season, would you be happy if...?
"If Monza were to stay up, maybe in advance, and if I scored in double figures for goals or assists... or even combined."
Call-up and debut with Italy in just a few days...
"I had a series of emotions that are hard to describe. It's nice to be there, in Coverciano, wearing the blue jersey. I work to return there and stay there. The first call-up was a starting point; now the goal is to reach as high as possible."
Did you expect the call?
"It was unexpected. Adriano Galliani gave me the news; he was very happy and told me that for the first time, three players from the same family would wear the Azzurri shirt."
What would your grandfather Cesare Maldini have said to you?
"He would have been happy for me."
And what did your father Paolo say to you?
"Words aren't necessary; we understand each other with a glance."
Are you more shy or reserved?
"A bit of both, but it's neither rudeness nor indifference."
What's your relationship with your phone?
"I spend a lot of time on it, but I reply to messages little: it seems paradoxical, but that's how it is. My fault... But I always reply to Galliani!"
Do you prefer scoring a goal or making an assist?
"The goal... even though I should make more assists... I'm working on it..."
Daniel Maldini, what does football mean to you?
"It’s being well, being happy. It's sharing a passion with teammates that has become work. We are privileged, and sometimes we don’t realise it."
Is your mother Adriana anxious?
"I believe that for the past year, she hasn't told me to dry my hair well after the shower... (laughs) But that's how it should be; a mother is a mother."
Where do you see yourself in 20 years, after football?
"Between Milan and a seaside place because it brings me serenity, with my lifelong friends."
