Evergreen Seedorf eyes new prize

A European champion with three different clubs, AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf knows a thing or two about winning the UEFA Champions League - and ominously for Liverpool FC, he believes this is "one of my best campaigns".

Ajax upbringing
Still only 31, it seems Seedorf has been around forever. The Netherlands midfielder first came to prominence when he broke into the AFC Ajax side as a teenager and, barely a month after his 19th birthday, clinched his first UEFA Champions League in 1995. More glittering prizes followed at Real Madrid CF, including a second European crown, before his move to Milan from FC Internazionale Milano in 2002 prefaced a third UEFA Champions League title. No other player has achieved the feat with as many clubs.

'Desire greater'
Yet rather than look to wind down such a prosperous playing career, Seedorf remains as hungry as ever. "The desire is even greater now because I'm coming towards the end of my career," he told uefa.com. "You want to take as many trophies home as possible. The clock is ticking. But the point is you acquire the awareness about what you need to do to get results; to keep trying to find ways of getting the best out of yourself and the team.

Team ethic
"In the end this is a team game," he continued. "I'd never have been able to achieve everything I have done in my career by myself. The atmosphere at your club is key. Every season here at Milan we adopt the same approach and our goal is to constantly try to win; it becomes second nature." It would be easy to pass this off as hyperbole were it not supported by the hard fact that in six seasons, the Rossoneri have gone all the way to the UEFA Champions League final twice, to the semi-finals three times and the quarter-finals once.

'Best season'
Seedorf, who has also played for UC Sampdoria, is still delivering. Since Carlo Ancelotti elected to play with only one recognised striker in January, Seedorf has taken a more advanced midfield role alongside Kaká. He is relishing the freedom, contributing seven Serie A goals and three UEFA Champions League strikes. "This is definitely one of my best [UEFA] Champions League campaigns," he said. "It's about performing at the right moment. It's important to keep learning and improving, however long you've been around, and I'm enjoying my role a lot more now."

Kaká partnership
Seedorf is particularly savouring the UEFA Champions League this term, scoring in the second legs of the Rossoneri's quarter-final and semi-final ties and setting up Filippo Inzaghi and Kaká in both matches with clever assists. His partnership with the Brazilian, in particular, is proving effective. "Kaká is fundamental for us," he said. "We both had to take on more responsibility this season with players leaving, and luckily we have scored lots of goals.

Special understanding
"The understanding has been growing. We have always got on well and it was always just a question of time. It is a special partnership we have, but it is difficult to put your finger on why or how we manage to tune into each other the way we do." As far as Kaká is concerned the feeling is very much mutual. "Seedorf has been essential," said the Brazilian international. "He is the kind of player who gives his best when it counts. He played great games against [FC] Bayern [München] and United. You need players like him to win big trophies." Given Seedorf's track record it is difficult to disagree.