Daniel Maldini is entering a decisive year in his career. The attacking midfielder will take the field in the Champions League with Atalanta, where he now needs to prove that his steady progress can continue.
Maldini came through the youth academy of AC Milan, joining at the age of just eight. That was hardly surprising, given his legendary family background. His father is Paolo Maldini, and his grandfather is Cesare Maldini : both icons of the club. Daniel made his senior debut in the 2019/20 season, but he never managed to secure a permanent place in the first team.
Loan spells at Spezia, Empoli, and Monza followed. Monza eventually signed him permanently in 2024. There, he developed into a full international and impressed enough for Atalanta to bring him in on February 1, 2025, for a transfer fee of thirteen million euros.
In Bergamo, the fans are watching closely this season. Their long-time coach Gian Piero Gasperini left after nine successful years, during which he turned Atalanta into a respected European force, winning the Europa League and regularly qualifying for the Champions League. His successor is Ivan Juric, who was relegated with Southampton last season. It is now Juric’s responsibility to maintain Atalanta’s hard-earned reputation and ensure the club does not lose the momentum built under Gasperini.