Daniel Maldini: From Match-Winner to Police Investigation

On Saturday night, Daniel Maldini was the hero. By Sunday morning, he was under police investigation.

The Cagliari attacking midfielder, on loan from Atalanta, had just delivered one of the most emotionally charged performances of his career, scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over his parent club. It was the kind of script football adores: the loanee punishing the team that owns his contract, the famous surname back in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

Hours later, that spotlight turned harsh.

From match-winner to police case

In the early hours of Sunday in Milan, Maldini’s Porsche Carrera 4 was involved in a collision with another vehicle. The crash left six people with minor injuries, including Maldini himself. He was taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks and discharged shortly after.

The real damage came at the roadside.

Milan city police confirmed to BBC Sport that officers immediately tested the 24-year-old to assess his fitness to drive. “Mr Maldini was administered a breathalyser test at the scene,” they stated, adding that his driving licence was confiscated after a positive result.

Reports from the scene detailed just how far over the legal limit he was. Italy’s threshold is 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. Maldini’s first reading came back at 0.91 g/l. The second: 0.89 g/l. Almost double the permitted level, and enough to trigger automatic legal consequences.

The investigation now moves into the hands of the authorities. For Maldini, the contrast with the previous evening could hardly be starker.

Cagliari close ranks around their playmaker

While the legal process begins in Milan, Cagliari acted quickly in Sardinia.

Maldini has quietly become an important figure for the Rossoblu this season, making six appearances across all competitions and scoring twice. With the team trying to build momentum after that statement win over Atalanta, the club moved to protect both their player and their campaign.

Amid growing speculation about his condition and professionalism, Cagliari released a firm statement. They confirmed that Maldini had “undergone toxicological screening following recent media reports” and that “all tests returned negative results”.

The message was clear: whatever happened in Milan, the club wants him mentally and physically ready for football. Cagliari added that the playmaker will rejoin the squad for training on Monday as normal, as preparations continue for their next fixtures.

The weight of a name

For any young player, this would be a serious off-field blow. For Daniel Maldini, it lands with extra force.

He carries one of the most storied surnames in the sport. His grandfather Cesare lifted European Cups and became a symbol of elegance at the back. His father Paolo is etched into the game’s history as an AC Milan and Italy icon, a byword for professionalism and longevity.

Daniel has already written his own chapter in that family story. In 2024, he became the third generation of Maldinis to play for Italy when he made his international debut against Israel in the Nations League. Since then, he has collected six caps for the Azzurri, his most recent appearance coming in September 2025.

Now, his next steps will be scrutinised more closely than ever. On the pitch, he has momentum. Off it, he faces a legal case and the responsibility that comes with a legendary name.

How he responds from here will shape far more than just Cagliari’s season.