The Frenchman has made a sensational return from injury, reminding everyone of his brilliance with a string of superb saves for club and country
After Emiliano Martinez's antics at Qatar 2022, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have announced that goalkeepers will no longer be permitted to delay the taking of a penalty – or distract their opponent by touching the crossbar or the posts before the shot.
Mike Maignan was less than impressed by the rule change, feeling that the shot-stopper's job has now been made even more difficult.
"New IFAB penalty rules 2026: Goalkeepers must have their backs to the shot," the AC Milan No.1 sarcastically wrote on Twitter.
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Maignan's frustration is understandable, of course. The thing is, though, when it comes to the Frenchman, one would still expect him to save the spot-kick in such a ludicrous scenario.
He has, after all, made a succession of logic-defying stops in recent weeks, prompting many pundits to proclaim him the world's best goalkeeper.
Getty'An unbelievable save'
During the international break, for example, he saved a Memphis Depay penalty in France's 4-0 rout of Netherlands in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Paris. Three days later, though, he did something truly extraordinary.
With France leading 1-0 but under the cosh in the final stages of their meeting with Ireland in Dublin, Nathan Collins made what looked like the perfect contact with a cross to send the ball arrowing towards the top corner of Maignan's goal.
However, the goalkeeper somehow managed to not only get a hand to the close-range header, but deflect it away to safety with a stunning show of dexterity that Didier Deschamps described as "worth a goal".
Collins couldn't believe it. He thought he'd done everything right. "I got as high as I could," the defender said afterwards, still in disbelief. "I got power behind it, but it’s an unbelievable save.
"That’s the difference at the top level; it’s so frustrating."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDenying Di Lorenzo
Just a couple of weeks later, it was Giovanni Di Lorenzo's turn to be denied by a man known as 'Magic Mike' in certain sections of the Italian press.
With just seconds to go in last Wednesday night's Champions League clash between AC Milan and Napoli at San Siro, the visitors carved out their best opening of the evening for their club captain.
Di Lorenzo made great contact but, again, Maignan was equal to it, getting down swiftly and nimbly to turn the defender's shot around the post and preserve Milan's precious 1-0 goal advantage going into Tuesday's second leg at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Getty'You have to follow him'
Maignan's heroics over the past month have astounded some, but those that have been following Frenchman's career closely are not in the least bit surprised.
It was clear during his time at Lille that he was a special talent. Indeed, the first time Milan coach Stefano Pioli saw Maignan in action, during a Europa League group-stage clash with Les Dogues, he turned to his goalkeeping coach and said, "You have to follow him!"
And the Rossoneri did.
Getty ImagesA bargain buy
When it became clear that Gigi Donnarumma wasn't going to sign a contract extension in 2021, Milan moved quickly to wrap up a deal for Maignan before the Italy No.1 had even confirmed his departure.
It proved an absolute masterstroke – and a sensational bit of business, with the Serie A side paying just €13m (£11m/$15m) for his services.
Because while the loss of Donnarumma on a free transfer hurt Milan, Maignan immediately soothed the pain.
Less than a month after his arrival, he was saving a penalty from Mohamed Salah in the Champions League, while Donnarumma was sitting on the PSG bench in Bruges.
By the season's end, he was a Scudetto winner, having helped Milan win their first Serie A title in a decade by keeping an incredible 17 clean sheets.
He even chipped in with a fantastic assist for Rafael Leao at one point, illustrating his comfort with the ball at his feet.