Daniel Maldini, son of Italian football legend Paolo Maldini, debuted for the Azzurri in Monday’s 4-1 victory over Israel, marking the first time in history that three generations from the same family have represented Italy’s national team.

Former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini earned 126 caps while Cesare Maldini, Daniel’s grandfather, played his last game for Italy 61 years ago.

Paolo Maldini attended the Nations League match in Udine and saw his son come on as a 74th-minute substitute.

“I’m happy that my parents came here, we’ll talk when I get home,” 23-year-old Monza forward Daniel Maldini said after the match.

“It was a strong, positive emotion, I am very happy to have played and that the match went well … I hope to bring some quality, even if there is already too much, I try to help as much as I can.”

Coming to the match, Italy strengthened their position at the top of Nations League Group A2 on Monday by thumping Israel 4-1 in Udine, where ramped up security was put in place for the away side’s first match of 2024 outside Hungary.

Mateo Retegui’s penalty four minutes from half-time, a brace from captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Davide Frattesi’s 72nd-minute strike moved Italy to 10 points from four unbeaten matches.

Italy now sit on 10 points from four unbeaten matches and will face Belgium and France next month.

(With agency inputs)