Ranieri believes the 33-year-old has proved his doubters wrong with some superb performances this season, and a hat-trick in Sunday´s 4-0 win against Atalanta maintained his inspiring form.

Del Piero was dropped from the Azzurri squad after a string of under-par performances in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, during which he failed to score in five appearances. His last game was the 0-0 draw against France in September but Ranieri is confident he has done enough to earn a recall.

"I am convinced (national team coach Roberto) Donadoni will call up Del Piero," said Ranieri. "Alex is currently in fantastic form and has proved it for some time.

"I am really convinced he will be included in Donadoni´s list."

The playmaker, who was a member of Italy´s World Cup-winning squad, has also impressed the nation´s football federation president, Giancarlo Abete.

"I am really satisfied with Del Piero," he said. "He has recovered the form of his best years."

Despite scoring 17 goals this campaign, two fewer than Genoa´s Marco Borriello who leads the goalscoring charts in Serie A, Del Piero prefers to remains cautious when asked about Euro 2008.

"I haven´t spoken to Donadoni in a while," admitted the Juve skipper. "I guess the important thing is that he calls me at the right moment but if it doesn´t happen life goes on regardless.

"Of course I would like to go but I will have to wait for his decision.

"I am enjoying a good spell, especially from a scoring point of view, and I am satisfied."