Paolo Maldini shares his list of three best footballers, excludes Cristiano Ronaldo

Paolo Maldini is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history, if not the greatest. His versatility allowed him to excel both as a left-back and centre-back, showing his remarkable ability to neutralize opposing forwards effectively. Maldini's leadership on the field was iconic, and his presence greatly influenced the performance of his teams.

For 25 years, Paolo Maldini epitomized class while representing AC Milan, achieving an impressive list of accolades. He captured seven Serie A titles and four Champions League trophies during his illustrious career.

Given his extensive experience, Maldini possesses invaluable insight into the world of football. In a documentary focused on Ronaldo Nazario, he identified the three greatest players he has ever witnessed.

Maldini picks his three best footballers - Ronaldo, Maradona and Messi 

During a documentary focused on Ronaldo Nazario, Paolo Maldini named the Brazilian as one of the greatest players he ever witnessed. Despite injuries that hampered him in the later stages of his career, Ronaldo's dominance was undeniable for most of his time on the field. His explosive speed, paired with remarkable strength, made him an absolute nightmare for defenders.

The next player that Maldini mentioned was Diego Maradona. The Argentine was a football genius, and with a ball at his feet, it seemed as though he could accomplish anything. There is hardly anyone who doesn't recognize the incredible impact the former Napoli star had when he stepped onto the pitch.

Maldini's final mention is a player he never encountered on the field, yet he fully recognizes the immense greatness of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi. Regarded as the greatest footballer in history, the former Barcelona star has dominated defenders and astonished spectators for nearly two decades.

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