Stand Down, Paolo, and Let Christian Play on for the Family

After 65 minutes and 33 seconds of a generally unremarkable European Cup final in Athens, something remarkable happened. Paolo Maldini made a bad mistake. A long punt by Pepe Reina was knocked into the Milan penalty area by Harry Kewell, and Maldini morphed into Titus Bramble as he headed the ball straight to Steven Gerrard. Even more remarkably, less than two minutes later Maldini erred again, losing possession in his own half to Javier Mascherano.

Neither error resulted in a goal, a shot on target, or even a harsh word in the newspapers all across Europe the following day. Writers were gushing in their praise for Maldini: so, too, were Liverpool's players, who applauded the Milan captain and his team in a way that showed big clubs can be gracious in defeat. Perhaps Maldini is beyond criticism, so well has he played in a remarkable career that stretches back to a time when Michel Platini and Diego Maradona were the biggest names in football.

Arguably, Maldini is the world's best defender. He has played more games for Italy, more in Serie A and more in European club competitions than anyone else. No other defender has been World Footballer of the Year. No one has appeared in more European Cup finals. He has played 22 seasons for the same club and when he does eventually retire, Milan's No 3 shirt will go with him.

I have been privileged to attend all eight of Maldini's European Cup finals from 1989. In all those games, against Steaua Bucharest, Benfica, Marseille, Barcelona, Ajax, Juventus, and Liverpool (twice), his defending was flawless. Until the 66th minute in Athens.

Maldini, who will be 39 next month, was effusive after lifting the cup. 'We've been the best team in Italy, Europe and the world over the past 20 years... When I lifted the trophy I thought about all the sacrifices I've made over the years and about the people who are close to me and who have supported me.'

It sounded valedictorian. It would be a good time to stand down. He did it at international level after the 2002 World Cup, and refused a call-up to Euro 04 because 'the fundamental thing is that a player of 34 years of age cannot possibly play in such a tournament'. But no.

'The cycle hasn't ended yet,' he continued. 'It would have been nice to end my career by winning this trophy, but I want to play in the European Super Cup and another league campaign and the Intercontinental Cup and then I want to win the European Cup again next year. That would be fantastic. My retirement will not depend on my motivation, but on my body.'

After last week's civic reception in Milan, Maldini's next stop is Brussels, where he will have a knee operation that will enable his body to endure a twenty-third season. 'I want to play one more year, at least.'

Why? There is plenty more to keep him occupied. There's the clothing company he runs with Christian Vieri, the modeling - his many female fans will not desert him if he hangs up his boots - and the family, or rather both families, the Milan one and the biological one.

Daniele Massaro, who scored twice for Milan in their rout of Barcelona in the 1994 final, also in Athens, said: 'Milan really are a family, it's the secret of their success. They never close the doors when you finish playing. I can't think how many former players are working with the youth team or behind the scenes.'

Here are a few, all of whom played alongside Maldini in a European Cup final: Carlo Ancelotti, Mauro Tassotti, Billy Costacurta, Alberigo Evani, Colombo, Franco Baresi, Stefano Eranio, Sebastiano Rossi and Massaro. Not a bad bunch of brothers.

It is difficult to untangle one family from the other. Maldini's father, Cesare, also a defender, played for Milan in the 1950s and 1960s. Paolo's son, Christian, is in the under-10s. 'My father captained Milan to their first European Cup victory in 1963, but I don't remember him as a player,' said Paolo. 'I played under his guidance in Milan youth teams, but I learned more from him about being a man. About a correct attitude to the game.'

Maldini senior's attitude to retirement? He quit aged 35.