 On 17 November 2009, Spanish sports newspaper "Marca" awarded Maldini the "Marca Leyenda" prize for his career and achievements.In 1986, Maldini was called up by his father Cesare Maldini to the Italian under-21 national team, and made his debut for the team on the 12 November of that year, in a 0–0 draw against Austria; he earned 12 caps and scored five goals in two years with the "azzurrini", with his first goal coming on 11 February 1987, in a 2–1 win against Portugal.Maldini was also member of the under-21 team that finished runners-up to Spain in the 1986 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.