Maldini's Surprising Confession Reveals Why He Became a Real Madrid Fan

One of the great mysteries surrounding Julio Maldonado is his favorite team. The comments he makes in his analysis, both on television and in other media, have sparked a long debate about his sympathies regarding the elite national soccer clubs.

The resolution of this discussion would come through a question on COPE. During the latest episode of Tiempo de Juego, a listener aimed to solve the doubt once and for all. Paco González asked the requested question, and Julio Maldonado offered a truly unexpected answer.

"You know me well, Paco, you know I'm more about players than teams," the analyst begins by saying. His fascination with Diego Armando Maradona is well known, whom he considers the greatest player of all time, even ahead of his compatriot Leo Messi.

However, 'Maldini' doesn't hesitate and makes it clear that  "I had a certain fondness for Chelsea because it was the first time I went to soccer in England. At that old stadium". His experience at  that stadium, where "there was a car behind one of the goals", marked one of the teams he still feels sympathy for.

End of the debate

Continuing with his  philosophy of "I'm more about players than teams," Julio Maldonado confesses that "I really enjoyed the Quinta". So much so that  "I wanted Madrid to win every game because I really enjoyed watching those players" who were part of a golden generation in the club's history. It's not the only team 'Maldini' has wished the best for since he's been active as a journalist.

Besides the team led by Emilio Butragueño, "I also really enjoyed Guardiola's Barça and truly wanted them to win because I loved watching the team. The fact that listeners doubt between these two means that it really doesn't show. I think so, anyway".

As he has acknowledged his passion for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, 'Maldini' also points to Leganés "by birth. I've spent my whole life in Leganés, and seeing them in the First Division seems tremendous to me". Paco González points toward England: "I've seen you watch City games, and I've had to put a bucket under you because you were drooling".

That "admiration" the COPE journalist talks about has a reply from Julio Maldonado. "When I like a team and enjoy it, I like them to win, but that's more or less logical. It's not because it's this or that team, not because of the color or the badge", 'Maldini' concludes about his sympathy for our soccer teams.