PAOLO MALDINI - THE GREATEST FOOTBALLER

On Tuesday (Feb 22, 2007), AC Milan's Paolo Maldini played in his 100th Champions League match. In an age with plenty of living legends, Maldini is that rarest of things – a legend not only living, but still playing. And in his own quiet way, Maldini, 38, continues to build his case as the best defender of all time.

His professional connection to Milan stretches back nearly three decades. His father Cesare was a star with the club. Paolo was first signed at age 9. He made his senior debut as a speedy, offensive-minded fullback at age 16. In the late '80s and early '90s, he earned a reputation as the finest left back in history – it's really not a point of argument.

But as his career stretches into its second phase, he continues to ladle on the laudables. Should Maldini drive Milan to its seventh (and his fifth) European crown this year, it might be time for a serious discussion about The Greatest Ever.

The best indication of his current stature is what is known as The Maldini Effect. Whenever a young striker sprints in toward the Milan goal and sees il capitano standing before him, his nerve goes. He passes when he should have run on or shoots long before he has the proverbial snowball's chance at hitting the goal. Wayne Rooney was a notable victim a couple of years ago.

Maldini is well aware of his imposing reputation. When he makes international appearances these days, opposing players not only ask to exchange jerseys, some request autographs. Maldini always obliges.

The Effect, like his feet, is only another tool Paolo Maldini uses to cripple the opposition.

He was always a chess player plotting in the midst of a field full of dervishes. His thoughtfulness has the result of slowing the game to his preferred pace – glacial. Thus, a Maldini highlight reel would make fairly unimpressive viewing, considering the superlatives that circle around him.

Most of his best plays involved snuffing out an offensive movement a heartbeat before it actually got started. He wasn't the quickest or strongest, but he was always the smartest. His unerring field intelligence allowed him to use his considerable physical gifts to their greatest purpose. Had he been as dominant an offensive player as he has been as a defender, he would likely be regarded as the finest soccer player ever.

In his 30s, he developed serious knee problems that put his career in doubt. Rather than give in, he adopted a more static role in the centre of the defence. Along with another superlative defender, Alessandro Nesta, Maldini helped build the Muro Milan – the Milan Wall.

The knees still bother him. But during the second stage of his career, he's been named to the FIFPro starting World XI and finished eighth in 2005 world player-of-the-year balloting. Pretty nifty for a makeshift centre back.

The Maldini legacy continues apace for the Rossoneri. In an echo of family history, Paolo's 10-year-old son Christian has been signed to the club's youth set-up. Although Milan has already promised to retire the elder Maldini's No. 3 when he decides to quit, special arrangements have been made for Christian to inherit his father's number if and when he makes the senior team.

But what would happen if the pair were to play together? Though retirement rumours have swirled around Maldini for years now, he has publicly mused about playing until he's achieved 1,000 games for Milan. To get there he must make 166 more appearances – roughly six seasons worth at his current rate. If Christian proves as prodigious as his father, there is the faint hope of two Maldinis in one Milan lineup.

For any other player, these would be laughable goals. In the case of the peerless Maldini, and in the hearts of his fans of all stripes, it's a fervent hope.

And today...

Italy and ACMilan great Paolo Maldini has confirmed he will end his 24-year career at the end of this season. Speaking to Italian TV channel Mediaset Premium after Milan's 4-2 Club World Cup triumph over Boca Juniors of Argentina, the 39-year-old claimed he would not play past his 40th birthday - which arrives just a week after the end of the Italian season.

"It's wonderful because it's difficult to reach 39 years old at a great club such as Milan, a club that has always given me the possibility to play for important trophies," said the left-back.

"Now, I feel really satisfied with what I have achieved." Maldini has set many records during his remarkable career, including earning 126 Italian caps, with 74 of those coming as captain, playing in 170 European club matches - although his return of just three goals is less impressive - and playing 603 Serie A matches.

"I have absolutely no regrets," he said of his decision to end his career next June. "I have done everything possible during my football career."

The Rossoneri beat Boca Juniors 4-2 yesterday to clinch the trophy and cap off an impressive year.

"Today I truly feel satisfied with what I have achieved," said Maldini, who earlier this year lifted the Champions League trophy. "In June I will retire without any regrets."

As far as honours go, the 39-year-old defender has had his fair share including five Champions League titles, two Intercontinental Cups, four European Super Cups and seven Serie A titles.

But the Club World Cup is the icing on the cake for the iconic defender. "It's great to have won this trophy, because it's difficult to be playing at 39 at a great club like AC Milan," he said.

"I have had everything in my football career but I have pain. I still have a lot of fun, but the pain is beginning to take over."

Kaka, who is expected to win the Fifa World Player of the Year award today, set up two goals for team-mate Filippo Inzaghi and scored a wonderful solo effort to help the European champions beat the Argentine side in the final.