The 36-year-old Cannavaro has been capped a record 132 times for Italy.

"They already say I'm too old, so I can only imagine what they would say in August," said Cannavaro today.

The Juventus veteran defender took over the captaincy after Paolo Maldini left the national team in 2002.

Cannavaro missed Euro 2008 because of injury but is returning to the side for this summer's tournament in South Africa. He has played for the national team for 13 years, with his greatest moment coming four years ago in Germany when leading Italy to the title.

Even better for Cannavaro was that he was voted FIFA World Player Of the Year.

"We're hoping to bring home the cup again, this time to keep it," said Cannavaro, who has been involved alongside 28 Serie A players in a three-day training camp held by Italy coach Marcello Lippi in Rome.

Italy will face Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F in South Africa.