Maldini wants one last cap

Tuesday 3 February 2009 19:29, UK

Paolo Maldini would like to play for Italy one last time before he finally retires from the game.

Record appearance holder would like friendly farewell

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 back in 2002 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 national side before he finally hangs up his boots on his playing career.

Celebrate

Maldini told Milan's television channel: "It would not be a proper return to the national team but an occasion to celebrate a long career in the blue shirt ... I would really like that." Italy coach Marcello Lippi has confirmed that he would not be averse to the idea, but the friendly with Brazil in London on 10th February would probably not be the right moment. Other than that, the World Cup holders, who face Montenegro and Ireland in 2010 World Cup qualifiers in March and April, have allocated two dates in June for possible friendlies ahead of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

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