F. Cannavaro

Handsome reward

Italy's defender Fabio Cannavaro (L) jumps for the ball as Spain's Rodriguez Vicente looks on during a friendly soccer match at Luigi Ferraris stadium in Genoa 28 April 2004. AFP PHOTO PAOLO COCCO

Though he once achieved the not inconsiderable feat of being voted Italy's sexiest man, Fabio Cannavaro's greatest honour is probably his role as captain of the soccer mad nation's football team since Paolo Maldini stepped down in 2002.

Cannavaro had previously been part of a top-class three-man defence in the Italy side along with Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, and as the more experienced man was the logical choice to take up the vacant captaincy.

Ex-Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni switched to a 4-4-2 line up in Euro 2004 qualifying and the Cannavaro-led backline conceded only four goals in eight matches.

French Zinedine Zidane (L) duels for the ball with Italian Fabio Cannavaro (R) during the Euro-2000 final between France and Italy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 02 July 2000. EPA PHOTO EPA/MICHELE LIMINA(ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

However the side crumbled in Portugal, undone by a combination of below standard performances and a convenient 2-2 draw between group rivals Denmark and Sweden that sent the two Scandinavian neighbors through to the last eight.

He also played in every match of Italy's Euro 2000 run to the final only to experience the agony of a golden goal defeat to France.

Sweet taste of success

Parma's defender Fabio Cannavaro (top) jumps among his teammates to congratulate Argentinian forward Hernan Crespo (C, back) after he scored the opening goal for his team 12 May 1999 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow during the 28th UEFA soccer Cup final between Olympique de Marseille and Parma AC.

After Maldini's international retirement he first captained Italy in a match at Napoli and received a standing ovation on the pitch where he sported the local side's colours between 1991 and 1995.

Before a blockbuster transfer to Inter Milan after the 2002 World Cup he spent seven successful seasons with Parma, winning the Italian cup in 1999 and 2002.

He once described winning the UEFA Cup in 1999, where Parma beat Marseille 3-0 in Moscow, as his sweetest footballing moment.

World Cup man and boy

His first experience of the World Cup came at Italia 90, though no blame can be attached to him for the semi-final defeat to Argentina. He was merely a ball boy at the Stadio San Paolo along with his fellow Napoli youth team members, who witnessed the club's star Diego Maradona help defeat Italy.

Mexico's defender Salvador Carmona ducks and watches the ball fly by after a mid-air strike by Italy's defender Fabio Cannavaro during match 43 group G of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea Japan 13 June, 2002 in Oita, Japan. AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS

He acquitted himself well at the 1998 World Cup in France when Italy were edged in another penalty shoot-out against the hosts in the quarter-finals, with Cannavaro, who had sustained a facial injury, playing in a protective mask during the tournament.

Juventus' defender Fabio Cannavaro (R), midfielder Emerson (C), goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Lilian Thuram (L) celebrate the victory against AC Milan at the and of their italian serie A football match AC Milan-Juventus at San Siro stadium in Milan, 08 May 2005. AFP PHOTO / Paco SERINELLI

At the 2002 World Cup he was credited with holding the defence together almost singlehandedly after Alessandro Nesta was injured against Croatia. Italy however went out amidst a refereeing controversy losing to co-hosts South Korea in the second round, again cruelly to a golden goal.

After the Euro 2004 he quit Inter Milan for a new start at Juventus where he won a first Serie A title in 2005 whilst maintaining his role as captain of the national side with Marcello Lippi now at the helm.