Former Chelsea, Manchester United and England midfielder tragically passed away days after suffering heart attack
THE football world has united to mourn the sad passing of the popular Ray Wilkins.
Having suffered a cardiac arrest last week, he was placed in an induced coma, and it was confirmed this morning he has died at the age of 61.
With so many touching tributes, it's clear he left his mark on the football community.
And one genuine icon of the game would not have been able to make his professional debut, had it not been for Wilkins' intervention.
A 16-year-old left-back, who many thought was only in contention for a first-team place because of his famous father, called Paolo Maldini was handed the opportunity to make his AC Milan bow away at Udinese on January 20, 1985.
But, with the match taking place against the backdrops of the Alps, the pitch had to be cleared of snow, with the match played in icy conditions — and that presented an issue for the rookie.
He didn't have the right type of footwear.
In order to play, he had to borrow a pair from team-mate Wilkins, and it meant one of the greatest defenders in the game's history made his debut in boots which were two sizes too small.
Maldini clearly did enough to earn a regular place in the team and would spend the next 25 years with Milan.
He now holds the record for the most appearances in Serie A history with 602 — but who knows what would have happened had it not been for a little help for Ray.
