The son of AC Milan great Paulo Maldini and grandson of another Rosonerri legend Cesare Maldini opened the scoring for Stefano Pioli’s side, who went on to win 2-1 and move top of the Serie A table.
Daniel in the process, became the third generation of the Maldini family to score for Milan in the Italian top flight, 13 years and 179 days after Paolo's last league goal and 60 years and 22 days since his grandfather Cesare's final strike.
Paulo Maldini was captured in the Stadio Alberto Picco stands celebrating wildly when his son scored.
"Dad is very demanding, he gives me advice and helps me," Daniel said before discussing the emotions that followed his 48th-minute finish.
"Those were good times," he continued. "I was excited even though I was calm. The teammates help me a lot and the coach too. We took home the three points and this is important."
"Well, I tried to imagine how it would arrive but not the actual play itself," added on Milan's official website when asked if he had dreamed about the moment.
"It's indescribable, I still have to let it sink in.
"Fortunately, it ended up this way. It's true it felt weird to score with a header but the outcome was great."
AC Milan will visit Atalanta in their next Serie A game next weekend.
