Paolo Maldini declines Invitation to AC Milan’s 125th anniversary celebration

AC Milan’s 125th anniversary celebration, set to take place on Sunday, will be missing one of its brightest stars. Paolo Maldini, former technical director and legendary captain of the Rossoneri, has declined the invitation extended by the club.

The event will feature many of the most important names in Milan’s glorious history, but Maldini’s absence will be keenly felt. As the embodiment of Milan’s defensive prowess and leadership on the field, Maldini’s decision not to attend has raised eyebrows among fans and observers alike.

While the exact reason for Maldini’s refusal hasn’t been disclosed, it’s widely speculated that it stems from the strained relationship between him and the club’s new ownership. The rift began in the summer of 2023, a year after Milan’s last Scudetto victory, when Maldini parted ways with the club. Since then, RedBird Capital has charted its own course, as has Maldini, who has not taken on any new roles elsewhere.

Maldini won’t be the only notable absence from the celebration. Fabio Capello will miss the event due to personal reasons, as will another club legend, Gianni Rivera. The list of absentees also includes other Milan greats such as Arrigo Sacchi, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Dida, and Kaká. Alessandro Nesta and Adriano Galliani are expected to be absent as well, as they will be with their current team, Monza, for a match in Lecce earlier in the day.

Despite these absences, the evening promises to be a star-studded affair. The list of attendees includes iconic figures such as Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Alexandre Pato, Clarence Seedorf, and Filippo Inzaghi, among many others. These former players represent different eras of Milan’s illustrious 125-year history and will undoubtedly bring a wealth of memories and achievements to the celebration.

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