Gentile vs. Maldini

He stopped both Maradona and Zico and won a World Cup. Maldini never won a World Cup and never stopped such good forwards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8nrKD4CdU

Maldini could have easily won the 2006 cup, though. I've never seen Gentile play, but Maldini is a legend nonetheless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvK2z6eUbAE

You can see a little of Gentile here with documentary translated or in English.

Just looking at that 1982 Azzurri team. They were AWESOME!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVOLphodJ-Q

They are both legends in their respective era.

Maldini did in fact "stop" Maradona (they played against each other). Was a part of the great 1990 and 1994 defense (we all know the 1994 defense was one of the strongest).

Youtube videos are not proper comparison tools. They played at different era's. I watched full games of both of them. Maldini was easily the better full back. But Gentile I think is a better CB. Maldini did not win the world cup, but he sure as hell came close.

I think Maldini is the better of the two, but I would put them both in Tier 1 defenders.

I would give you though that Gentile's performance in 1982's match vs Argentina is one of the greatest, if not the greatest performance by a defender I ever saw.

To be honest
The Juventus fans will say Gentile
The Milan fans will say Maldini

Both great defenders nonetheless.

maldini is good..

Both great players but Maldini was much cleaner in his takles

Both are fantastic players but Maldini edges it out for me. For 25 years he gave quality performances non-stop and he has also stopped numerous players and has won 5 Champions Leagues, and it's not like he was a bit part player in those. For 25 years he has dominated and was also a fantastic leader for both AC Milan and the Azzurri. It is a tragedy that Maldini doesn't have any international trophy to his name. That night at 1994 in the searing heat of the Pasadena Stadium, where he and a one legged Baresi defended for their lives and held out Brazil for 120 minutes was just amazing.