ATHENS, Greece - Less than 24 hours after AC Milan clinched the Champions League crown, veteran captain Paolo Maldini already was shifting his focus to the club's title defense.

The Rossoneri won the European Cup/Champions League trophy for the seventh time after a 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Wednesday night.

It was an especially sweet occasion for Maldini, who matched the achievement of Real Madrid legend Paco Gento - previously the only player to have appeared in eight European finals.

The triumph also marked the fifth time the 38-year-old defender has lifted the biggest prize in European football.

"It is my fifth but it is always beautiful to win it," Maldini said. "I have the fortune of playing in a great team that has allowed me to bounce back from the few disappointments I have had in my career."

One of the low points came in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, when Liverpool fought back from a 3-0 halftime deficit to win on penalties.

"I have thought about the final in Istanbul for at least a year, even though two years have gone by," Maldini said. "Perhaps that is why this victory was all the more special."

Maldini admitted to fearing the worst when Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt reduced the deficit a minute from time after a Filippo Inzaghi double had put the Rossoneri firmly in the driving seat.

"I did worry," Maldini said. "But we held on for victory."

Milan's win in the Greek capital does not mark the end for Maldini, who considered retirement earlier in the campaign after struggling with numerous knee injuries.

The former Italy international even postponed knee surgery to play in Wednesday's final. Many were surprised when Maldini decided to extend his contract with Milan for another year after nearly two decades at the club, but he revealed he still has the drive and hunger to add to his impressive tally of winners' medals.

"I guess I could have called it a day after winning this trophy because I would have finished my career on a high," he said. "I have played all my career at Milan and for me football is Milan.

"I am very proud to be the captain of this team. Now I want to play the European Supercup (in August) and then in the FIFA Club World Cup. It would be great to finish my career with these trophies. Then we will have to defend our European crown in the Champions League."