Maldini confirms Italy retirement

Italy captain Paolo Maldini has confirmed his retirement from the national team despite an appeal by coach Giovanni Trapattoni for him to carry on.

Maldini, Italy's most capped player with 126 appearances, had said on several occasions that he intended to quit the 'Azzurri' after the World Cup finals which ended on June 30.

Italy were knocked out in the second round by South Korea and Trapattoni asked Maldini to stay on for at least part of the European championship qualification campaign.

"I have thought a lot about the national side and my decision has not changed," Maldini said in comments reported by Italian media on Sunday.

"Trapattoni and my team mates from the World Cup squad have tried to change my mind but the fundamental thing is that someone who is 34 years of age cannot think about playing in the European championship in 2004," said Maldini.

Trapattoni said if Maldini stayed on for another year it would give him time to try to find a young replacement for the man who has been Italy's left back since the late 1980s.

Italy begin their European qualification campaign in Baku against Azerbaijan on September 7 and also face Yugoslavia, Wales and Finland in group nine.

Before then Trapattoni will have a chance to test out his side in a friendly against Slovenia in Trieste on August 21.

There have been suggestions that the Slovenia match would become Maldini's farewell game but the AC Milan defender appeared to rule that out.

"I don't think I will be on the field against Slovenia," he said.

Lazio defender Alessandro Nesta is likely to be the favourite to take over from Maldini as Italy captain.