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Maldini reveals enduring love affair

As Paolo Maldini prepares for his eighth European Champion Clubs' Cup final, the 38-year-old defender says that AC Milan is not just a club but a way of life.

The UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC will not be the 38-year-old Paolo Maldini's last match, as many football fans had feared. The AC Milan captain tells uefa.com he will play on for another season, his 24th in the Rossoneri No3 shirt, but first he has some unfinished business to attend to.

uefa.com: After the defeat in 2005 is this final more special?

Paolo Maldini: Facing Liverpool is an opportunity to take revenge, but we have nothing against them. During my career I have won most of the games I deserved to win. That night was not like that though, because we deserved to win and we didn't. They are a dangerous side, especially with [Steven] Gerrard and [Peter] Crouch, but we don't have to think about our opponents too much. We have to play our own game and then accept the result on the pitch.

uefa.com: Three finals in four years. What is Milan's secret in this competition?

Maldini: I think the secret is a completely different style of game and life in general. The whole club is different. This is the only club that keeps players even if they are over 35, looking at their talent without considering their age.

uefa.com: How many other finals would you like to play?

Maldini: I hope to play another after this one in Athens, because next season will surely be my last.

uefa.com: The final against Liverpool will be your eighth in the competition, the same number as Real Madrid CF legend Paco Gento. What do you think about reaching such a milestone?

Maldini: Honestly, I have never really cared about records. I only think about winning as many trophies as possible, and Milan have given me the chance to play so many finals in this competition. Believe me, it is not easy reaching the UEFA Champions League final.

uefa.com: Could you ever imagine achieving so much when you were younger?

Maldini: No, not at all. I just wanted to become a good Serie A player. When I was younger it was not common to see Italian teams winning so many trophies in Europe. Milan and Inter had managed to lift the European [Champion Clubs'] Cup twice during the 1960s but otherwise there weren't many Italian sides who had been able to dominate in Europe.

uefa.com: Did your father Cesare give you your love for football?

Maldini: My father did not talk much about football with me. He thought mostly about teaching me as a man and about my education. I think I've loved football since the day I was born. This love pushes me on despite my age. I don't think my love for the game will ever die. However, in order to achieve great results and always be at the top, you have to be lucky enough to play with a great club and I have had this opportunity.

uefa.com: What is Milan for you?

Maldini: Milan is football for me. I have played for this club for my whole career, I was born in Milan, and my father had a great career with this team. For me, the word football means Milan.

uefa.com: Your own son plays for Milan's youth team. Do you think he will become a good player?

Maldini: At his age – he has not turned eleven yet – you can already see if he is capable and he is. If he manages to develop this talent and if he has the ambition to reach great goals, the next step will be deciding whether he wants to try this career or not.

This is an abridged version of an article that appears in this week's uefa.com Magazine. To read it in full, click here.