Daniel Maldini's Weekend: From Match-Winner to Police Investigation
Daniel Maldini’s weekend swung from triumph to turmoil in a matter of hours.
On Saturday, the 24-year-old forward buried a late penalty in Bergamo, sealing Cagliari’s 2-1 win over Atalanta and underlining his growing importance for the Sardinian club. By early Sunday morning, he was at the centre of a criminal investigation in Milan after a serious traffic accident and an alleged drink-driving offence.
From match-winner to police case
The incident occurred at around 5.15am on Sunday in Milan. Maldini, driving a Porsche Carrera, collided with another vehicle. The impact left six people with minor injuries, among them Maldini himself. All were taken for medical checks, and the Cagliari player was discharged from hospital later the same day.
The sporting high of Bergamo had vanished. In its place: flashing lights, damaged cars and the arrival of local police.
Nearly twice the legal alcohol limit
According to police sources cited by Reuters, officers subjected Maldini to two alcohol tests at the scene. The first recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.91 grams per litre, the second 0.89. Italy’s legal limit stands at 0.5 grams per litre.
Those readings immediately triggered action. Authorities suspended Maldini’s driving licence on the spot following the positive tests. An Italian security source, also quoted by Reuters, indicated that the official toxicology results processed by the police would take three to four days to be finalised.
Maldini also underwent a drug test. On Monday, Cagliari confirmed that this test came back completely negative and stated that the player would return to training as normal as the club prepares for its upcoming fixtures.
A rising name under a heavy surname
The case lands at a delicate moment in Maldini’s career. Once on the books at Milan, and having had spells with Atalanta and Lazio, he has started to carve out a more defined role at Cagliari. His winner against Atalanta was another step in that progression.
He carries a surname that weighs heavily in Italian football. Son of Paolo Maldini, one of the greatest defenders in the game’s history, Daniel has long been viewed as one of the more intriguing attacking talents of his generation. He already has six caps for Italy and had been building momentum on the pitch.
Now his name is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The legal process will run its course, the toxicology results will arrive, and the football will continue. The question is how this night in Milan will shape the next chapter of a career that, until this weekend, seemed to be gathering pace.
