For any aspiring left back, there can be no greater idol than Paolo Maldini. The AC Milan legend won 26 major honors across his stellar playing career and has long been regarded as the gold standard for left-sided defenders. It is significant, then, that during his time as technical director at Milan, Maldini personally fought to sign a promising young left back who was already marking himself out as a player to watch.
His name? Milos Kerkez.
"You can't say no when Maldini calls you," Kerkez told Hungarian outlet Nemzeti Sport, reflecting on his 2021 transfer from ETO FC Gyu0151r to Milan.