Milan star Alessandro Nesta has praised Paolo Maldini for his incredible longevity and says that he will never be able to play for as long as the great man.
At the age of 39, Maldini is incredibly in his 23rd professional season for AC Milan.
The living legend made his Serie A debut way back in 1985 and more than two decades later he is still playing at the very highest level.
At 31, Nesta is approaching veteran status himself, having first featured for Lazio back in 1993.
“In a way we are very different,” said Nesta. “I will not have his longevity. He has something which no one else has, he has a strong head.
“Paolo is like metal, he never slackens, he loves to train and to play. I do not believe that in four or five years I will be like that.”
Inter defender Marco Materazzi has commented on city-rivals Milan’s troubles in Serie A, and reveals how he once had to defend Gennaro Gattuso following a conflict in a disco.
The Nerazzurri are enjoying another superb season domestically and are still unbeaten with more than three months of the season gone.
Milan on the other hand are struggling and are languishing in ninth place, 11 points behind their bitter city rivals.
In an interview with Sky Italia, Materazzi was asked why Milan perform well in Europe but continue to struggle in Serie A.
“I do not think they are struggling, the championship is different,” said the Matrix.
“While we ourselves are still adapting to the Champions League, they are adapting to the championship.