Maicon

“How good was Maicon?”. He was good; very good. Technically and physically excellent and, for years, he was a powerful weapon for Inter: a relentless right-back, an extra man going forward, a colossus who was dependable at any time of the match.

He made his debut as the Nerazzurri number 13 in the summer of 2006 after his transfer from Monaco. It was a game at San Siro: 0-3 down in the Super Cup against Roma, before the comeback, the 4-3 victory, and the first trophy. Right from the start, the Brazilian full-back wowed the Nerazzurri fans with his running, attacking ability, a super celebration in front of the fans. He was a true Inter player from his first touch.

He played with the enthusiasm he had as a boy in Brazil where he played in Criciuma, coached by his father, who, one afternoon, put him on the right flank: 'You can do it, you can offer a lot there'. A brilliant idea, and an idea which provided football with one of the best ever to play in the role.

248 appearances for Inter over six seasons, scoring 20 goals. Iconic, important, big goals. A man for the derby with two unforgettable goals (including the last, in 2012, with an incredible right-footed effort), the volley against Juventus, the goal against Barcelona in the semi-final. Maicon was an unparalleled leader in the year of the Treble. As a Nerazzurri player, he won 4 Scudetti, 2 Coppa Italias, 3 Italian Super Cups, 1 Champions League, and 1 Club World Cup. Team successes, as well as with personal awards: in 2010 he was included in the UEFA team of the year, winning the award for best defender. And for Brazil, he added two Copa Americas to his vast trophy cabinet.