{{Short description|Italian footballer (born 2001)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Daniel Maldini | image = | caption = | fullname = <!-- If different--> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|10|11|df=y}} | birth_place = Milan, Italy | height = 1.88 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.acspezia.com/it/teams/profile/daniel-maldini.4310.html |title=Daniel Maldini |publisher=Spezia Calcio |language=it |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> | position = Attacking midfielder, forward | currentclub = Lazio<br>(on loan from Atalanta) | clubnumber = 27 | youthyears1 = 2010–2020 | youthclubs1 = AC Milan | years1 = 2020–2024 | clubs1 = AC Milan | caps1 = 15 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2022–2023 | clubs2 = → Spezia (loan) | caps2 = 18 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2023–2024 | clubs3 = → Empoli (loan) | caps3 = 7 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2024 | clubs4 = → Monza (loan) | caps4 = 11 | goals4 = 4 | years5 = 2024–2025 | clubs5 = Monza | caps5 = 20 | goals5 = 3 | years6 = 2025– | clubs6 = Atalanta | caps6 = 19 | goals6 = 3 | years7 = 2026– | clubs7 = → Lazio (loan) | caps7 = 21 | goals7 = 2 | nationalyears1 = 2019 | nationalteam1 = Italy U18 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2019 | nationalteam2 = Italy U19 | nationalcaps2 = 2 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2021 | nationalteam3 = Italy U20 | nationalcaps3 = 3 | nationalgoals3 = 1 | nationalyears4 = 2024– | nationalteam4 = Italy | nationalcaps4 = 6 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | club-update = 09:15, 27 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 8 September 2025 }} '''Daniel Maldini''' (born 11 October 2001) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for {{Italian football updater|Lazio}} club Lazio, on loan from Atalanta, and the Italy national team.
==Early life== Maldini was born in Milan, the second son of Paolo Maldini, the captain of AC Milan, and Venezuelan model Adriana Fossa.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Speroni |first1=Enrica |title="Vi racconto i miei Maldini" |trans-title=«I will tell you about my Maldinis» |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2005/ottobre/14/racconto_miei_Maldini__ga_10_0510143641.shtml |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |date=14 October 2005 |access-date=4 February 2020 |language=IT}}</ref> His grandfather Cesare also captained Milan in the 1960s, making him the third generation to make appearances for the club. His family was of Slovenian descent.<ref>{{Cite news |title=I Maldini, dinastia rossonera: da Cesare a Paolo, poi a Christian e Daniel |url=https://www.corriere.it/foto-gallery/sport/16_aprile_03/i-maldini-dinastia-rossonera-cesare-paolo-poi-christian-daniel-a9690bea-f966-11e5-91c9-425ed3b43648.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409202533/https://www.corriere.it/foto-gallery/sport/16_aprile_03/i-maldini-dinastia-rossonera-cesare-paolo-poi-christian-daniel-a9690bea-f966-11e5-91c9-425ed3b43648.shtml |archive-date=2021-04-09 |access-date=2026-01-26 |work=Corriere della Sera |language=it-IT}}</ref> His elder brother Christian played for Milan's youth teams and went on to play professionally at a lower level.
==Club career== ===Youth career=== Maldini joined Milan's youth system in 2011,<ref>{{cite web |title=A.C. Molan - Pulcene 2100 |url=http://www.acmilan.com/infoPage.aspx?id=69070 |website=Associazione Calcio Milan |access-date=4 February 2020 |language=IT |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829143911/http://www.acmilan.com/infoPage.aspx?id=69070 |archive-date=29 August 2010}}</ref> and over the following years he came through the various age-group teams, from the under-10 ''Pulcini'' to the under-19 ''Primavera''. In the 2016–17 season, he was part of the squad that won the Under-16 National Championship (''Campionato Nazionale Under-16''), defeating Lazio 5–2 in the final.<ref>{{cite web |title=Under 16, il Milan è campione d'Italia: Roma ko 5-2 |trans-title=Under-16, Milan are the Champions of Italy: Roma KO'd 5–2 |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/2017/06/23/under-16-milan-campione-d-italia-roma-ko-5-2 |website=Sky Sport |date=23 June 2017 |publisher=Sky Italia |access-date=4 February 2020 |language=IT}}</ref>
===AC Milan=== In July 2019, Maldini was called up for pre-season training with senior team by the newly appointed head coach Marco Giampaolo.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.milannews.it/news/milan-i-29-convocati-per-il-ritiro-ci-sono-krunic-e-hernandez-338821 | title=Milan, i 29 convocati per il ritiro: Ci sono Krunic e Hernandez }}</ref> On 23 July 2019, Maldini made his senior debut for AC Milan in the ICC friendly tournament, playing for nearly an hour in the starting line-up against Bayern Munich in Kansas City, Kansas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICC - Bayern Monaco-Milan, le formazioni ufficiali |url=https://www.milannews.it/primo-piano/icc-bayern-monaco-milan-le-formazioni-ufficiali-340343 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Milan News |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bayern 1-0 Milan (Jul 23, 2019) Lineups |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/lineups/_/gameId/539062 |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
On 2 February 2020, Maldini played his first competitive game with Milan in a 1–1 Serie A home draw against Hellas Verona, coming on as an added-time substitute for Samu Castillejo.<ref name=debut>{{cite news |title=AC Milan 1–1 Hellas Verona |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51350804 |access-date=4 February 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
On 15 September 2021, Maldini came off the bench against Liverpool in a 3–2 defeat on his UEFA Champions League debut.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Liverpool comeback sinks Milan in epic|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58561430|access-date=15 September 2021}}</ref> On 25 September, Maldini started his first match for Milan in Serie A and scored the first goal in a 2–1 away win against Spezia.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Maldini on target in AC Milan win|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58692111|access-date=2021-09-26}}</ref>
On 22 May 2022, he won his first trophy, the Serie A championship, like his father, Paolo Maldini and grandfather, Cesare Maldini before him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maldini: "Orgoglioso dei ragazzi. Io dirigente solo grazie al Milan" |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/22-05-2022/scudetto-milan-maldini-orgoglioso-ragazzi-io-dirigente-solo-grazie-milan-440633455983.shtml |access-date=22 May 2022 |agency=gazzetta.it |publisher=gazzetta.it |date=22 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Serie A: il Milan è campione d'Italia |url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/sport/calcio/2022/05/22/serie-a-il-milan-e-campione-ditalia_17c28041-517c-4868-ae7f-5da9896caba0.html |access-date=22 May 2022 |agency=ansa.it |publisher=ansa.it |date=22 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Maldini and other "full-champion" triple dynasties |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1950 |access-date=25 March 2025 |publisher=iffhs.com |date=10 June 2022}}</ref> Throughout the season, he did not break through into the starting lineup, playing only 239 minutes in 13 matches in the club's league-winning 2021–22 Serie A campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giunchi |first=Giacomo |date=13 June 2022 |title=Saluta papà e Milan, Daniel Maldini stoppa la dinastia: colpo in Serie A |url=https://news.direttagoal.it/calciomercato-milan-maldini-scambio-scamacca/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=news.direttagoal.it}}</ref>
====Loan to Spezia==== On 29 July 2022, fellow Serie A side Spezia announced Maldini had joined the club on a one-year loan from AC Milan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.acspezia.com/en/news/official-daniel-maldini-is-a-new-spezia-player.23811.html|title=Official {{!}} Daniel Maldini is a new Spezia player|publisher=Spezia Calcio|date=29 July 2022|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref>
On 5 November 2022, on his league debut as a starter with Spezia, Maldini scored his first Serie A goal of the season against his parent team, AC Milan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pazzesco Giroud all'89': il Milan batte 2-1 lo Spezia ed è secondo a -6 dal Napoli |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/05-11-2022/giroud-urlo-milan-scadere-maldini-gol-sotto-occhi-papa-paolo-450971674418.shtml |access-date=6 November 2022 |agency=gazzetta.it |publisher=gazzetta.it |date=5 November 2022}}</ref> On 10 March 2023, he scored a goal in a 2–1 victory over Inter Milan, to be Spezia's first ever win against the latter.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mackenzie |first=Alasdair |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/serie-a/2022-2023/spezia-v-inter-follow-live_sto9447033/story.shtml |title=Spezia 2-1 Inter: Nerazzurri fall to shock defeat at relegation-threatened side after late drama |work=Eurosport |date=10 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2023-03-11/football/Daniel-Maldini-protagonist-in-Inter-2-1-defeat-against-Spezia-6736250292 |title=Daniel Maldini protagonist in Inter 2-1 defeat against Spezia |work=The Malta Independent |date=11 March 2023 }}</ref>
====Loan to Empoli==== On 10 July 2023, fellow Serie A side Empoli announced the signing of Maldini on a one-year loan with an option to buy.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 July 2023 |title=Daniel Maldini is a new Blue |url=https://empolifc.com/daniel-maldini-e-un-nuovo-calciatore-azzurro/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001080357/https://empolifc.com/daniel-maldini-e-un-nuovo-calciatore-azzurro/ |archive-date=1 October 2023 |access-date=10 July 2023 |website=Empoli FC |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 July 2023 |title=Official Statement: Daniel Maldini |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2023-07-10/official-statement-daniel-maldini/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120160350/https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2023-07-10/official-statement-daniel-maldini |archive-date=20 January 2024 |access-date=10 July 2023 |website=A.C. Milan |language=it}}</ref>
===Monza=== On 10 January 2024, Milan sent Maldini on loan to fellow Serie A club Monza until the end of the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 January 2024 |title=DANIEL MALDINI È BIANCOROSSO |trans-title=DANIEL MALDINI IS RED AND WHITE |url=https://www.acmonza.com/it/news/daniel-maldini-biancorosso-10012024/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214155421/https://www.acmonza.com/it/news/daniel-maldini-biancorosso-10012024/ |archive-date=14 February 2024 |access-date=10 January 2024 |publisher=AC Monza |language=it}}</ref> He scored four goals in 11 league games. The deal was made permanent on 31 July 2024, with the player signing a two-year contract.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-31 |title=Bentornato Daniel Maldini - Associazione Calcio Monza S.p.A. |url=https://www.acmonza.com/it/news/daniel-maldini-ritorno-monza-20240731/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website= |publisher=AC Monza |language=it}}</ref>
===Atalanta=== On 1 February 2025, Maldini moved permanently to Atalanta from Monza,<ref>{{cite news |title=Calciomercato Serie A 2025, gli acquisti ufficiali |url=https://sport.sky.it/calciomercato/calciomercato-serie-a-2025-acquisti-ufficiali |access-date=1 February 2025 |agency=sport.sky.it |publisher=Sky Sport |language=it |date=1 February 2025}}</ref> for a reported transfer fee of €13 million including performance-related bonuses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/official-daniel-maldini-joins-atalanta-140300379.html |title=Official: Daniel Maldini joins Atalanta from Monza for 13m |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=1 February 2025 }}</ref>
====Loan to Lazio==== On 27 January 2026, Maldini was loaned to Lazio for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, with an option to buy that would become an obligation under certain conditions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sslazio.it/en/news/comunicati/daniel-maldini-in-biancoceleste-a-titolo-temporaneo |title=Daniel Maldini in biancoceleste a titolo temporaneo |publisher=SS Lazio |language=it |date=27 January 2026 |access-date=27 January 2026}}</ref>
==International career== Maldini is eligible to represent either his native country Italy or Venezuela, the latter through his mother.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} He debuted for Italy national under-18 football team in a 2–0 victory against the Netherlands on 22 March 2019.<ref>{{FIGC Italy U18 player|50620}}</ref> Later that year, Maldini earned two caps for the under-19.<ref>{{FIGC Italy U19 player|50620}}</ref> In 2021, he played three times for Italy under-20 and scored his first international goal in a 1–1 draw against England on 7 October 2021.<ref>{{FIGC Italy U20 player|50620}}</ref>
Maldini received his first call-up with the Italy national team for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium and Israel on 10 and 14 October 2024 respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/l-italia-riprende-il-cammino-in-nations-league-23-convocati-per-le-gare-con-belgio-e-israele-prima-chiamata-per-di-gregorio-gabbia-pisilli-e-maldini/|title=L'Italia riprende il cammino in Nations League: 23 convocati per le gare con Belgio e Israele, prima chiamata per Di Gregorio, Gabbia, Pisilli e Maldini|language=it|website=Italian Football Federation|date=4 October 2024|access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref> He debuted against the latter opponent in a 4-1 victory, coming as a substitute at the 74th minute.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Paolo Maldini's son Daniel makes Italy debut in win over Israel|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/paolo-maldinis-son-daniel-makes-italy-debut-win-over-israel-2024-10-15/|website=Reuters|date=15 October 2024|access-date=17 October 2024}}</ref>
== Style of play == Although in his very early days Maldini played as a defender like both his father Paolo and grandfather Cesare, he soon started to be employed in offensive roles. Today he mainly plays as a free roaming attacking midfielder, a position that suits his playmaking ability, dribbling skills, ball control, and vision.<ref>{{cite web |title=Daniel Maldini |url=https://footballtalentscout.net/2019/08/07/daniel-maldini/ |website=Football Talent Scout |access-date=4 February 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111222359/https://footballtalentscout.net/2019/08/07/daniel-maldini/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 17 May 2026}}<ref>{{Soccerway|id=619255|access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Coppa Italia !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="4"|AC Milan |2019–20 |Serie A |2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |2020–21 |Serie A |5||0||0||0||4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||0||9||0 |- |2021–22 |Serie A |8||1||2||0||3{{efn|name=UCL|Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League}}||0||13||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !15!!1!!2!!0!!7!!0!!24!!1 |- |Spezia (loan) |2022–23 |Serie A |18||2||2||1||colspan="2"|—||20||3 |- |Empoli (loan) |2023–24 |Serie A |7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7||0 |- |Monza (loan) |2023–24 |Serie A |11||4||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||11||4 |- |rowspan="2"|Monza |2024–25 |Serie A |20||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||21||3 |- !colspan="2"|Monza total !31!!7!!1!!0!!0!!0!!32!!7 |- |rowspan="3"|Atalanta |2024–25 |Serie A |10||3||1||0||0||0||11||3 |- |2025–26 |Serie A |9||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||11||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !19!!3!!2!!0!!1!!0!!22!!3 |- |Lazio (loan) |2025–26 |Serie A |11||2||2||0||colspan="2"|—||13||2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !101!!15!!9!!1!!8!!0!!118!!16 |} {{notelist}}
===International=== {{updated|match played 8 September 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=32926 |title=Daniel Maldini |website=EU-Football.info |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref> {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="2"|Italy |2024||2||0 |- |2025||4||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!6!!0 |}
==Honours== '''AC Milan''' * Serie A: 2021–22
== See also == *List of European association football families
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{TuttoCalciatori|Daniel_Maldini}} * {{Soccerway|619255}}
{{SS Lazio squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maldini, Daniel}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Italian people of Venezuelan descent Category:Footballers from Milan Category:Italian men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:AC Milan players Category:Spezia Calcio players Category:Empoli FC players Category:AC Monza players Category:Atalanta BC players Category:SS Lazio players Category:Serie A players Category:Italy men's youth international footballers Category:Italy men's international footballers Daniel Category:21st-century Italian sportsmen Category:Italian people of Slovenian descent