Maldini set to quit next year

MILAN, Nov 21 (Reuters) AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini says he is likely to retire at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old defender, Italy's most capped player with 126 appearances, told the daily La Repubblica he was constantly battling against pain in his knee.

''I'm suffering a lot. At this moment I really think I could quit in June,'' said Maldini, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.

Maldini, whose father Cesare was also captain of Milan, made his debut for the club in January 1985 and has never played for any other team.

He has won four European Cups and seven Italian league titles.

Maldini retired from international soccer after the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan but has continued to be a regular in Carlo Ancelotti's side having converted from left back to the centre of defence.

Milan are away to AEK Athens in Champions League Group H later today.

REUTERS SAM KN1510