The father of Paolo Maldini admits he was amazed to read yesterday that AC Milan had asked his son to come out of retirement.

It was revealed that Maldini was approached a fortnight ago by Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani to pull on the boots again for the remaining games of the season.

Cesare Maldini told TMW: "Even when I read the newspaper I was amazed.

"You should ask the Rossoneri at this point: Paolo is a character but is like me, very strong, and if you make a decision that is it.

"He is very attached to Milan, of course, but last year took this important decision: it was celebrated around the world, he is happy to have stopped playing, so I do not see how he would think again.

"Then, of course, his life is his and also because he is stubborn, he does not listen to anybody."