Daniel Maldini's Weekend: From Hero to Legal Trouble
Daniel Maldini’s weekend swung from euphoria to turmoil in the space of a few hours.
On Saturday, the attacking midfielder on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta was the hero, scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over his parent club. By the early hours of Sunday, he was at the centre of a police investigation in Milan.
Late-night crash in Milan
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday when Maldini’s Porsche Carrera 4 collided with another vehicle in Milan. Six people, including the 24-year-old, suffered minor injuries.
Maldini was taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks and later released. No serious injuries were reported, but the consequences off the pitch escalated quickly.
At the scene, Milan city police required Maldini to undergo tests to assess his fitness to drive. Speaking to BBC Sport, they confirmed that the legal process began immediately after the breathalyser was administered.
“Mr Maldini was administered a breathalyser test at the scene,” police said, adding that his driving licence “was confiscated following a positive result.”
Reports from the scene stated that Maldini was well over Italy’s legal alcohol limit of 0.5 grams per litre. The first test recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.91 g/l, with a second reading of 0.89 g/l — almost double the permitted threshold.
Cagliari close ranks around their playmaker
As the story spread and questions mounted over Maldini’s condition and professionalism, Cagliari moved quickly to protect and back their player.
Maldini has made six appearances in all competitions this season for the Sardinian club, scoring two goals, and his importance to the side is clear. Keen to steady the situation and keep the focus on the pitch, the Rossoblu issued a statement addressing the growing speculation.
They confirmed that Maldini had “undergone toxicological screening following recent media reports” and that “all tests returned negative results”. The club also made it clear he will resume normal activity, stating that the playmaker is expected to rejoin the squad for training on Monday as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures.
The message was deliberate: Cagliari intend to keep their key man involved as they try to build on the momentum of that win over Atalanta.
A name that carries weight
Any incident involving Daniel Maldini inevitably carries an extra layer of scrutiny because of his surname.
He is the third generation of one of football’s most storied families. His grandfather Cesare and his father Paolo are both AC Milan greats and towering figures in the Italian game. Daniel added his own chapter to that legacy in 2024 when he became the third Maldini to represent Italy, making his international debut against Israel in the Nations League.
Since then, he has collected six caps for the Azzurri, with his latest appearance coming in September 2025.
Now, as the legal process unfolds and his licence remains confiscated, Maldini returns to Cagliari with his place on the pitch intact but his judgment off it under the spotlight. How he responds from here will shape more than just his season. It will shape how the Maldini name is carried into its next era.
