Old Trafford once again on trail of peerless star of Italian football

ON May 23, 2007, Italian football legend Paolo Maldini led AC Milan to victory in the Champions League, securing his place in football history.

- JOSHUA SMITH

Almost two years after Liverpool's stunning comeback in Istanbul, Maldini got another chance to win his fifth European Cup and, with the help of two goals from Filippo Inzaghi, he captained Milan to a 2-1 win over Liverpool in Athens.

Despite having won the prestigious trophy in 1989, 1990, 1994 and at Old Trafford in 2003, the 2007 victory was probably the sweetest for Maldini.

This was due to how Milan had lost to the same opponent in the final two years earlier. Surrounded by some of the biggest names in football, Alessandro including Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Cafu and Kaka, Maldini lifted the trophy once again.

This marked his 25th major trophy in a Milan career that lasted exactly 25 years. Maldini is remembered as one of the greatest defenders in football history, respected and loved by all.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the former United boss, once tried to sign Paolo Maldini from AC Milan. He said: "I did try [to sign Maldini] but when I met his father he was quite formidable, I got a shake of the head. I remember him saying, 'my grandfather is Milan, my father is, I am Milan, my sons are Milan. Forget it."

Maldini was a sta player in Italy during the mid '90s, playing for a Milan team filled with talent like Massimo Ambrosini, Paolo Di Canio, Roberto Baggio and George Weah.