Italy international Maldini loses licence after Milan car accident
Daniel Maldini had his driving licence suspended after failing a breathalyser test following a car crash in Milan. The Cagliari midfielder was one of six people with minor injuries in the collision. The incident occurred hours after he scored the winning goal in a Serie A match against Atalanta.
The collision occurred just hours after Maldini's decisive goal against Atalanta, a club where he was previously registered as a player. Police recorded two breathalyser readings of 0.91 and 0.89 grams per litre, nearly double Italy's legal limit of 0.5 g/l. He was briefly hospitalised for precautionary checks before being released, while five others also sustained minor injuries.
Maldini represents the third generation of his family to play for Italy, following father Paolo and grandfather Cesare, both AC Milan legends. He made his international debut in a Nations League match against Israel in 2024 and has since earned six caps, the most recent in September 2025. Cagliari confirmed separate toxicological screening returned negative results, and he is expected to rejoin squad training on Monday.
This incident could affect Maldini's public reputation given his family's iconic status in Italian football, potentially influencing how young fans perceive drink-driving among professional athletes. The case may also prompt broader discussion about post-match celebrations and player responsibility, though Cagliari's swift response and his expected return to training suggest limited professional fallout. Society may view this as a reminder that sporting success does not exempt individuals from legal accountability, reinforcing the seriousness of impaired driving regardless of status.