It was at the recent European Championships in Holland and Belgium that Cannavaro saw his excellent reputation in Italy extend to the rest of the continent. Despite some offers of astronomical proportions, Parma managed to hold on to the lively defender who boasts arguably the best timing in the game.

Born in the Fuorigrotta region of Napoli, it was with his home-town side that Cannavaro began his footballing career. He joined the Napoli youth set-up aged 16, and watched from the stands of the San Paolo stadium as his side, led by Diego Maradona, stormed to the Scudetto.

He made his own Serie A debut at 20, against Juventus - a match which to this day he cites as the "emotional high point" of his career. In 1994 he became European Champion with the Italy Under-21s - a feat which he repeated in 1996. Neither did it take him long to confirm the promise he had displayed in the youth teams with the seniors - he has already amassed more than 30 caps and has plenty of time to add to his collection.