Daniel Maldini

Official SS Lazio photo

Daniel Maldini, born on 11 October 2001 in Milan, Italy, is an Italian professional footballer who plays as an attacker or creative midfielder for S.S. Lazio in Serie A and has also made appearances for the Italy national team.

He comes from one of Italy’s most famous footballing families: his father is legendary defender Paolo Maldini, and his grandfather Cesare Maldini was both a player and coach of the national team — making Daniel the third generation of Maldinis to represent Italy at senior level. He began his career in the AC Milan youth system, breaking into the first team in February 2020 and winning a Serie A title with Milan in 2022. After loan spells with Spezia, Empoli, and Monza, Monza made his signing permanent in July 2024, and he later moved to Atalanta in February 2025, where he featured regularly before his move to Rome. Daniel made his senior debut for Italy in October 2024 in a Nations League match against Israel, continuing his family’s remarkable national team tradition.

In January 2026, Maldini completed a loan move to Lazio from Atalanta for the remainder of the season, with an option (and conditional obligation) to buy that could extend his stay beyond 2026. At Lazio he wears the number 27 shirt and is seen as a versatile offensive option able to play as a trequartista, second striker, or wide attacker, adding creativity and tactical flexibility to coach Maurizio Sarri’s forward setup. While he has had periods of inconsistency in recent seasons, the move represents an opportunity for Maldini to establish himself in a key role at a club with high ambitions and solid Serie A experience.