Daniel Maldini Faces Police Investigation After Weekend Incident

Daniel Maldini’s weekend swung from euphoria to turmoil in the space of a few hours – from match-winner on the pitch to the subject of a police investigation on the streets of Milan.

On Saturday, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder, on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta, delivered the decisive blow in a 2-1 victory over his parent club. It was the kind of moment that underlines why Cagliari pushed to bring him in: composure, timing, and a touch of class in a tight game.

By the early hours of Sunday, the narrative had turned sharply.

Night-time crash in Milan

Maldini was driving a Porsche Carrera 4 in Milan when it collided with another vehicle. The crash left six people, including the player, with minor injuries. All were taken for medical checks, with Maldini transported to a local hospital as a precaution before being discharged.

Standard procedure quickly became something more serious.

Milan city police confirmed to BBC Sport that officers at the scene carried out a breathalyser test. The result triggered immediate legal consequences. As police put it, “Mr Maldini was administered a breathalyser test at the scene,” and his driving licence was confiscated after a positive reading.

Reports from the scene stated that Maldini was well over Italy’s legal alcohol limit of 0.5 grams per litre. The first test registered 0.91 g/l, the second 0.89 g/l – almost double the permitted level for drivers in the country.

Club closes ranks around key player

While the authorities dealt with the legal side, Cagliari moved quickly to address the growing storm around one of their most influential players this season. Maldini has made six appearances across all competitions, scoring twice, and his importance to the Rossoblu is already evident.

The Sardinian club issued a statement aimed at calming speculation over his condition and professionalism. Cagliari confirmed that Maldini had “undergone toxicological screening following recent media reports” and stressed that “all tests returned negative results”.

The message was clear: the club intends to keep him focused on football. Cagliari added that the playmaker is expected to rejoin the squad for training on Monday as normal, as preparations continue for their upcoming fixtures.

A name that carries weight

Any incident involving a Maldini inevitably carries extra scrutiny. Daniel is the third generation of one of football’s most storied dynasties, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Cesare and his father Paolo – both AC Milan legends and towering figures in the Italian game.

Daniel etched his own line into that family history when he became the third Maldini to represent Italy, making his international debut against Israel in a Nations League match in 2024. He has since collected six caps for the Azzurri, the latest coming in September 2025.

Now, with his licence confiscated and an investigation under way, the spotlight on him will only intensify. How he responds – on and off the pitch – will shape not just his season with Cagliari, but the next chapter of a surname that football knows all too well.