PAOLO MALDINI completed a unique family double when he emulated his father Cesare and captained AC Milan to their penalty shootout victory over Juventus in the Champions League final at Old Trafford.
Never before had a son followed his father in skippering the same club to victory in Europe's premier competition — or any other major final. Cesare led Milan to their first European Cup success when they beat Benfica 2-1 at Wembley 40 years ago.
Either Cesare or Paolo have been involved in all six of Milan's European Cup successes. Cesare skippered the side in 1963 and was assistant coach to Nereo Rocco when they won the trophy for the second time in 1969. He is now, in his early 70s, the club's chief scout.
"There has always been myself or my father involved. With Milan these things can happen — it is too beautiful for words," said an ecstatic Paolo afterwards.
This was Paolo's fourth European Cup success with Milan, having played in the winning teams in 1989, 1990, 1994 and now this season. He was also in the teams beaten by Olympique Marseille in 1993 and Ajax Amsterdam in 1995.
It was his sixth final — meaning that only Francisco Gento (eight finals) and Alfredo Di Stefano (seven) have played in more.
By collecting his fourth winner's medal he has moved to within two of the record of six wins established by Gento who played in Real Madrid's winning teams of 1956-60 and 1966. His Milan team-mate Alessandro Costacurta played in his fifth final — and picked up his fourth winner's medal too.
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