MILAN (AP) — AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini is hoping to make a farewell appearance for Italy, saying Tuesday that it would "make me happy."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has come under pressure from an online poll to allow the former Italy captain to make a 127th appearance when Italy play Brazil in London next Tuesday.

However, Lippi has said it is impossible for that match but hasn't ruled out playing Maldini in another game.

"It was a very spontaneous thing and I knew nothing about it," Maldini said on AC Milan's Web site of the poll. "Whether I'm able to take part in this match is a decision that we'll leave to those who can decide, also taking into account that the fixture list is fixed.

"Rightly, coach Lippi has to take into account the squad's needs."

Maldini's last match for Italy was a 2-1 defeat to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup. He subsequently refused overtures to return for the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup.

"Yes, it would make me happy (to play)," Maldini said. "It wouldn't be a return but a chance to celebrate a long career with the national team and this would truly make me happy."