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Maldini refuses Milan return

Image: Maldini: Bid farewell last summer

Cesare Maldini reckons his son Paolo was right to refuse AC Milan's plea to come out of retirement.

Father backs Paolo's decision not to come out of retirement

Former Italy and AC Milan coach Cesare Maldini believes his son Paolo was right to turn down the Rossoneri's plea to come out of retirement. Reports suggest current Milan boss Leonardo and vice-president Adriano Galliani approached Maldini two weeks ago, asking the 41-year-old to return for the rest of the season. The Rossoneri are battling to keep their title hopes alive after suffering a spate of injuries in defence. While Cesare insists Paolo is his own man, he confirmed his son, who brought an end to his 25-year playing career at the end of last season, had discussed the shock offer with him. But he feels the legendary defender made the right decision in choosing not to make a temporary return to the pitch. "Paolo is a big enough lad. For years he has done everything by himself and I have to say that his choices are always right," Cesare told Corriere della Sera.

Stubborn

"Of course he speaks with us but then he is stubborn, he decides. "I think he did well. We're not talking about a player who stopped after 20 games. He left football after hundreds and hundreds of matches. "His send-off was celebrated in all parts of Europe and the world. They paid homage to him everywhere. Now he's thinking of new things." The former Milan and Italy captain played 902 games for the Rossoneri after making his league debut in January 1985 aged 16. And it is not the first time he has been asked to come out of retirement as he turned down the chance to add his 126 caps for Italy after quitting the international stage in 2002. Milan are four points behind Serie A leaders Roma with five games remaining, while defending champions Inter Milan are three points ahead off their city rivals in second place. But Milan's hopes of a first Scudetto since 2004 have been hit by injuries to Daniele Bonera, Giuseppe Favalli, Kakha Kaladze and Alessandro Nesta.

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