After two consecutive continental successes with the U21 team, Fabio Cannavaro made his senior team debut in a friendly match against Northern Ireland on 22 January 1997, which the Azzurri won 2-0 in Palermo thanks to goals from Zola and Del Piero. The young Neapolitan talent came on for veteran Costacurta in the 72nd minute to create a new defensive line containing Maldini and Ferrara.

After all, Cannavaro had already gained Cesare Maldini’s full approval during that successful time in which the latter had coached the former at U21 level: a partnership that led to both of their promotions to the senior team before the 1998 World Cup in France.

Returning to Cannavaro’s debut with the Italian national team, Zola immediately got the match up and running after controlling Albertini’s pinpoint pass, rounding the Northern Irish ‘keeper and clinically slotting home to give Italy the lead. The Azzurri’s second goal was just as fabulous, with Del Piero whipping in a free kick from a seemingly impossible angle which sparked scenes of elation among the crowd in Palermo.

After taking his first professional steps with Napoli, Cannavaro moved to Parma in the summer of 1995 and there he matured as a player earning his Azzurri call-up. In fact, the Giallblu side itself managed to impose itself on a continental level at the end of the ‘90s thanks to an array of talent, including Buffon, Thuram, Veron, Crespo, Zola and Cannavaro himself, which created an XI that won two Coppa Italia trophies, an Italian Super Cup and a UEFA Cup.

However, it’s impossible not to link his Italian history to the incredible journey in Germany in 2006, where he was able to create everlasting memories in the country’s history whilst wearing the captain’s armband. He was sensational throughout the tournament, performing beyond belief: an impassable wall, a dam capable of withstanding any pressure who sent millions of Italians into raptures. That was a perfect year for him, one in which he not only won the most coveted trophy in world but also the Ballon d’Or.

He captained the Azzurri for eight years and made 136 appearances, the second most of all time, preceded only by Gigi Buffon.

ITALY’S LINE-UP ON CANNAVARO’S DEBUT

Peruzzi - Di Livio (Eranio 79), Costacurta (Cannavaro 72), Ferrara, Maldini P., Carboni - Baggio D., Albertini, Di Matteo (Fuser 58) - Casiraghi (Ravanelli 58), Zola (Del Piero 62)