The 38-year-old defender will become the first Italian to reach the milestone and is proud of the achievement 16 years after he played his first game in the tournament.

Real Madrid boast the only other three players to have played 100 games or more in the Champions League with Raúl having 106 matches under his belt, Roberto Carlos 105 and David Beckham 102.

"Obviously it is a great honour to play 100 games in the Champions League, although I used to play in the old European Cup, so I feel as though I have already played more than 100 games in the competition," he told uefa.com.

"It could be one of my last at this level, but I like the challenge of this competition and I don't want it to be over."

Maldini's first game in the tournament was in December 1992 when he helped Milan to defeat PSV and he also holds the record as having scored the fastest goal and being the oldest player to score in a final.

Those records came when he opened the Rossoneri's account two seasons ago in the final against Liverpool in Istanbul.

This term Maldini is hoping to end his playing career by winning the trophy, but first Milan must beat Celtic in the last 16 tie.

"Our objective this season is to win the UEFA Champions League," he said.

"We are confident we can improve especially in defence and when we get players back from injury we will be even stronger, so I think we have a good chance of going all the way to the final in Athens."

With so much experience, the veteran is relishing the prospect of playing in front of a full house in Glasgow and has no fear of being intimidated.

"Celtic Park is one of the nicest places to play," he stated.

"We played here two years ago and the intensity of the atmosphere was amazing. I am really looking forward to playing there again."

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