It had been a night of stardom on the pitch, with the goal that gave Cagliari a precious victory in Bergamo against Atalanta. A few hours later, however, the night in Milan ended with a car accident and the revocation of his license.
It happened at dawn on Sunday in Milan, where Cagliari striker Daniel Maldini was involved in a violent car collision. The soccer player, driving a Porsche Carrera 4, allegedly crashed into a Volkswagen Golf after failing to yield the right of way. The Golf, in turn, crashed into a parked Mercedes.
A total of six people were involved in the accident. All were taken to the hospital with yellow code injuries, but none were reported to have sustained serious injuries.
Alcohol test: values above the limit
The element that would have immediate consequences for the player came from the tests conducted after the crash. Maldini tested positive for breathalyzer: 0,91 grams per liter in the first test and 0,89 in the second.
This led to the driver's license being revoked. The results of the toxicology tests, ordered to determine the possible presence of narcotics, are now awaited.
Maldini, who was traveling with a woman and two men, was taken to Fatebenefratelli Hospital for medical checks. After the tests, he was released.
The player's lawyer, Danilo Buongiorno, reported on his condition, saying that the footballer had returned home "in good health" and without injuries.
The clash at dawn
The accident occurred around 5:15 a.m. on Via Caracciolo, in the northern outskirts of Milan. The Porsche driven by Maldini collided with the Golf in which a man and a woman were traveling.
After the initial impact, the Golf continued on its way, hitting a parked Mercedes.
Emergency services and law enforcement arrived on the scene to conduct surveys and accurately reconstruct the crash's dynamics. The investigation will determine who is responsible and reconstruct the events leading up to the crash.
From the joy of a goal to a night to forget
The accident comes at the end of a day that, on a sporting level, had once again seen Maldini take centre stage.
The 25-year-old had in fact scored his second consecutive goal for Cagliari, contributing to the victory against Atalanta, the club that sent him on loan to the Sardinian club during the last transfer window.
Cagliari had a particularly positive start to the season, securing three wins in their first four games. For Maldini, however, the goal in Bergamo seemed to represent further confirmation of the revitalization process he had embarked on after several seasons marked by inconsistent performances and numerous changes of squad.
Career and the weight of a surname
Son of Paolo Maldini and grandson of Cesare, Daniel has carried on his shoulders a surname that has been significant in the history of Italian football and especially of AC Milan since his debut.
Having grown up in the AC Milan youth academy, he struggled to find consistency in his first professional career. However, he was part of the AC Milan squad that won the Scudetto in 2022, thus entering the Maldini family's history.
Subsequently, he was loaned to Spezia and Empoli, before moving to Monza. In Brianza, under Raffaele Palladino, the player seemed to have found his definitive breakthrough, attracting interest from several clubs.
A move to Atalanta in 2025. In Bergamo, however, Maldini found less playing time than expected and was subsequently loaned to Lazio. In the summer, he returned to Atalanta and then temporarily moved to Cagliari.
The precedent in the Milan investigation
Maldini's name had already been implicated in the judicial proceedings in recent months in the Milan Prosecutor's Office's investigation into the Ma.De Milano company, which was at the center of an investigation into parties organized for VIP clients, including several Serie A footballers.
Last July, Maldini was interviewed by investigators as a person informed of the facts and not as a suspect. The investigation concerns the organization of all-inclusive events and parties in Milan's luxury clubs and hotels and, according to what has emerged, also incidents related to the availability of narcotics.
This is a separate case from last night's traffic accident, for which investigations are still ongoing.
Another blow for Cagliari
The incident now represents a new off-the-field problem for Cagliari, who have made an excellent start to the season.
In August, the case of striker Yael Trepy had raised concerns: the player had suffered a swimming pool accident, resulting in serious injuries that required a medically induced coma. His condition gradually improved, and in recent weeks, doctors have given the green light for a gradual return to action.
For Maldini, however, the authorities' investigations will now determine the consequences of the accident. From a sporting perspective, the moment remains positive. But the night in Milan inevitably changed the tone of a day that began with the celebration of a goal and ended with a license being confiscated.
Frequently asked questions about Daniel Maldini's accident
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the car accident involving Daniel Maldini.
What happened in the accident?
Daniel Maldini was involved in a car accident in Milan, where his car collided with another vehicle, resulting in the revocation of his license.
What are the consequences of a breathalyzer test?
Maldini tested positive for alcohol, exceeding the legal limit, which led to the immediate withdrawal of his license.
Were there any injuries in the accident?
Six people were involved, all taken to hospital with yellow code, but none suffered serious injuries.
What is Maldini's current situation?
After hospital checks, Maldini was discharged and his lawyer confirmed that he is in good health.
