Former Italy head coach Cesare Maldini has passed away at the age of 84. The former AC Milan defender took charge of the national team in 1996, replacing Arrigo Sacchi, and successfully qualified for the 1998 World Cup. Maldini played for Milan from 1954 to 1966 and was a star for the club before son Paolo went on to become a legend in his own right. He helped the club win four Scudetti along with their first European Cup in 1963 when they sealed a 2-1 win over Benfica.

At club level, Maldini won 4 Serie A league titles and 1 European Cup with Milan. Internationally, he played for the Italian national team, earning 14 caps and participating in the 1962 World Cup. As a coach, he had a successful career in charge of the Italian Under-21 side, winning the European Under-21 Championship a record three consecutive times.

Did You Know?

1. Football originated in China around 476 B.C.

2. Football is the most played and most watched sport on earth.

3. Football is the most popular sport in the world. Over one billion fans watch World Cup Football on television.

4. The largest Football tournament saw no less than 5,098 teams. They competed in 1999 for the second Bangkok League Seven-a-Side Competition. Over 35,000 players participated.

5. The maximum number of goals scored by one player in a single Football match was 16. It was scored by Stephan Stanis (France) playing for Racing Club de Lens in December 1942.

6. Based on video evidence, one of the fastest ever scored was in 2.8 seconds by Ricardo Olivera (Uruguay) in December 1998.