[misha]

Milan captain Paolo Maldini has admitted that he may consider ending his career this summer if his knee problems persist.

The veteran, in his 23rd season with the San Siro outfit, has been suffering with fitness issues for some time and suffered a fresh setback against Inter on March 11 when he picked up another meniscus injury.

“The knee that I operated last year is doing well, but the other is now more or less in the same situation as the one that underwent surgery,” said Maldini on Tuesday.

“If things continue like this then it will be almost impossible to continue.

“Furthermore, this season has been far more intense as far as the number of games and the minutes played compared to last term.

“I have started this week well, working with the team despite the problems I had after the derby. We will see what happens.”

Although the 38-year-old wants to be as much use as possible to his beloved Rossoneri, he has accepted that he’s unable to stop the sands of time.

“I have also seen doctor Martens this week and he told me that I can forget about playing two games in a row,” he added.

“As for whether or not I will have to undergo more knee surgery, that depends on the swelling.”

Milan are confronted with a frantic end to the season and immediately face a couple of massive tasks when they will visit Roma and then host Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

“I hope to be available for Roma or I would like to at least be on the bench,” continued the former Italy captain.

“Bayern are the same tough opponent as always, physically very strong, but I am optimistic about the Champions League.

“At this stage of the season Milan must show what they can do and we can’t be satisfied just yet. We must do even more than what we have done so far.

"As to finishing in fourth, it is closer than it was at the beginning of the season. It remains our minimum objective…”

Football Italia

[Rossoneri7]

This is bad (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Milan without Maldini .. I have never known one (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)