“Paolo Maldini dead 2026” : the Champions League 2007 winner killed by internet death hoax

News of footballer Paolo Maldini’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the winner of the Champions League 2007 is alive and well.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Paolo Maldini death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the footballer’s alleged demise gained traction on Wednesday after a ‘R.I.P. Paolo Maldini’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Italian footballer’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (March 18, 2026), our beloved footballer Paolo Maldini passed away. Paolo Maldini was born on June 26, 1968 in Milan. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 57-year-old footballer and business man was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Italian network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a footballer of Paolo Maldini's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (61%) of respondents think those Paolo Maldini death rumors are not funny anymore.

Paolo Maldini Death Hoax Dismissed Since Footballer Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Thursday (March 19) the footballer's reps officially confirmed that Paolo Maldini is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved footballer. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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