Gone but not forgotten

Some players become an integral part of the football scene that seem almost irreplaceable when announcing his retirement from the game. With a new season in the league about to start, FIFA.com looks at the big names will not be honored on this stage next year, leaving a big hole, and some wonderful memories behind them.

Italian Paolo Maldini institution has been around so long that the young people to take in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009 in Egypt only a few weeks ago were not even born when he made his debut in Serie A. That was in 1984-85 and 24 in subsequent seasons was AC Milan youth product remained firmly loyal to the Rossoneri, throwing in one another shirt this time around, the blue of his beloved Italy...[source]