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Italian Football In Crisis As Leonardo And Paolo Maldini Resign

by Callum Foster ⎯ 1 min read ⎯ 2026-07-30
Paolo Maldini and Leonardo during a professional football event

Paolo Maldini and Leonardo during a professional football event

According to recent reports, Italian football has been plunged into a fresh crisis after Paolo Maldini and Leonardo officially submitted their resignations to federation president Giovanni Malago.

Based on details from Italian media outlets, the high-profile departures follow the sudden dismissal of Andrea Pirlo due to his ties with Russia, which completely derailed the federation's plans for the future.

Speaking to the press, Serie A boss Ezio Simonelli stated, "We have learned the resignations of Maldini and Leonardo on television, and we have taken note of them. Surprised? I would say no, it was predictable."

Simonelli added, "Maldini had chosen Pirlo, but he will not be coach. I am disappointed because I think Maldini was an excellent choice, a precious person, and I would have appreciated, for the good of all football, that his involvement continued."

Meanwhile, Giancarlo Abete expressed similar disappointment, noting that the federation must now start completely from scratch to build a serious new project for the national team.

// Topics
#paolo_maldini #leonardo #italy #andrea_pirlo #serie_a #football #crisis
Senior Sports Journalist - Football & Tactical Analysis

Callum Foster is a renowned sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in the world of football. A former correspondent in London, Madrid, and Milan, he has covered the biggest sporting events: World Cups, European Championships, Champions League, and domestic leagues. His tactical analysis and on-the-ground reports are valued for their depth and accuracy. Passionate about European and South American football, he brings unique and insightful perspectives to sports news.