The former AC Milan defender and technical director, speaking at the Sky Inclusion Days event in Milan on Wednesday, was asked about the Fenerbahce interest and gave an answer that conspicuously avoided a denial.
"He is a friend of mine. He is one of the candidates for the presidency. We will see. If he were to win the elections, we will see what happens."
The comment follows a series of meetings between Maldini and Safi, both in Milan and in Istanbul, that have been extensively reported in Italian and Turkish media. Maldini confirmed the Istanbul meeting on his own social media on Tuesday, posting a photograph with Safi alongside a caption describing him as "a strong football mind, a passionate leader and most importantly a true friend."
The public signal was notable. Maldini, who has consistently presented himself as a private figure unlikely to seek a high-profile role outside Italy, took the unusual step of posting about the meeting himself — a detail several football media outlets in Turkey interpreted as significant.
Safi is challenging for the Fenerbahce presidency in an election scheduled for July 2026. Should Safi prevail, he has been open about his ambition to restructure the club's football operations with high-profile names. Maldini as sporting director would represent precisely that kind of transformational appointment.
Maldini has been without a formal football role since his dismissal as AC Milan's technical director in June 2023, a departure that remains contentious among Milan supporters who regard him as one of the architects of the Scudetto-winning squad of 2021-22. He has repeatedly stated that the only Italian club he would work for is Milan. A position in Turkey, outside Italian football entirely, is a different proposition.
Reports in Italy suggest Maldini has also discussed the possibility of bringing former Milan head coach Stefano Pioli to Fenerbahce as manager, potentially recreating a partnership that won the Serie A title together.
Everything depends on the election outcome. For now, Maldini is watching — and, for once, not staying entirely silent.