Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero thinks the retiring Paolo Maldini "is greater than Franco Baresi".

This Sunday's game with Roma will be Maldini's last at San Siro as the defender prepares to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

Del Piero paid tribute to Maldini when he phoned in as Maldini was interviewed on Milan Channel.

"You are the number one! There are great players and there are world class players. Then there are those who manage to go beyond that term. Paolo is the perfect example."

"Maldini is the symbol of Milan and has done even more than Baresi and all the other greats who preceded him.

"He has reached incredible heights in his career and at the same time managed to become a unique presence in his team, in Italian football and on the international stage."