Daniel Maldini spread his arms as if to fly away.
And it was as if the teenager was floating above the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia.
With his first goal in Serie A at his starting line-up for AC Milan, the boy with the famous last name followed in the footsteps of Papa Paolo and Grandpa Cesare.
"It's an incredible feeling of happiness, I still have to fully understand what happened," said the 19-year-old after the Rossoneri 2-1 (0-0) at Spezia Calcio.
When his goal to make it 1-0 (48th), a massive header from six meters, it had torn father and club director Paolo from his grandstand seat.
The commentator on Italian television shouted ecstatically: “La saga continua”, the heroic story continues.
The Gazzetta dello Sport hailed “a dynasty without end”, the Corriere sees the name Maldini shine “for all eternity”.
Indeed: 67 years after the debut of Cesare Maldini, who passed away in 2016, and 36 years after that of his father Paolo, Daniel has now also made a real appearance in Serie A. In nine short appearances since February 2020, the attacking midfielder was left empty-handed.
It was easy for Maldini III.
not on his way.
“Football is a democratic sport,” said the strict Mr Papa (53), “Daniel is with Milan because he is talented.
But I know that the pressure for him was greater than what I had. "
Dad, said Daniel, "gives me a lot of advice, but he's demanding".
And so he hurried to announce further deeds: "I hope to meet soon in the Meazza Stadium."