Tuesday 3 February 2009

Maldini wants one last cap

Italy's record appearance holder Paolo Maldini would like to play for the Azzurri one last time before he retires from the game at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old is still going strong for AC Milan in Serie A but quit the national side following the 2002 FIFA World Cup having earned a record 126 caps.

The defender was also due to retire from Milan at the end of last season but changed his mind and signed a one-year deal.


He would now like to feature in a friendly for the Azzurri before he finally hangs up his boots on his playing career.

"It would not be a proper return to the national team but an occasion to celebrate a long career in the Azzurri jersey," Maldini told Milan Channel. "I would really like that."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi last week confirmed that he would not be averse to the idea, but the friendly with Brazil in London on 10 February would probably not be the right moment.

Other than that, the World champions, who face Montenegro and the Republic of Ireland in 2010 qualifiers in March and April, have allocated two dates in June for possible friendlies ahead of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

[Lippi lines up Maldini testimonial]

Source: Sky Sports

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