Next week's Champions League final won't be AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini's swansong, the Azzurri great said Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference a week before the final against Liverpool in Athens, Maldini said he would play on for another year - well past his 39th birthday on June 26.

"My decision was based on the fact that I'm still healthy and I think I can solve my left-knee problems with an operation," the famed defender said.

Maldini said he was confident his swollen knee wouldn't keep him out of the Liverpool game, a replay of the 2005 final when Milan went down on a penalty shoot-out after going 3-0 up by half-time.

"I'm not 100 percent sure but I still have a week to get in shape. I trained with the squad yesterday and I'm absolutely confident I can be there".

Maldini has played a record 800 games in all competitions for Milan, his only club, and a record 126 times for Italy.