I also think that Maldini is one of the best defenders the sport has seen. He was great technically, he was passioante about football. he was great player, no doubt. He was a hardworking palyer. But without getting carried away too much, I just cant say he is the best player (to me). I doesnt have the charisma of Baggio, he doesnt have skill of Ronaldinho. He lacks the flair of maradona... he is not as natural as Zidane... When people compare Maldini with people like Pele, Maradona, Baggio, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho or Zidane, I feel its like the comparison between Rahul Dravid and Sachin in cricket. No matter how techincally sound Dravid is , people always like charisma, skill and natural talent of Sachin. Again, that said, its just a pesonal view. I also used to be die-hard fan of Maldini. But people like Pele, Maradona, Baggio, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho or Zidane are in a differnet class...