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Alessandro Nesta

Alessandro Nesta is the rock on which the Italian World Cup defence will be built.

He was a revelation during Euro 2000 with a series of limpet-like man-marking jobs, notably on Holland's Patrick Kluivert in the semi-final won on penalties after a goalless draw.

A product of the Lazio youth system he has risen through the ranks to become club skipper, his career path emulating that of Francesco Totti who has made similar progress at AS Roma.

Both men have played against each other at all levels in the Roma-Lazio derbies since the age of 12 but are now firm friends.

His standing with Lazio is such that he now attends board meetings as a representative of the playing side of the club and as club captain often has to smooth over relationships with the club's volatile supporters.

But Nesta's love affair with Lazio, with whom he has won a host of prizes culminating with the 1999-2000 Scudetto, seems to be on the wane and rumours persist he may move on this summer.

If he did move it would probably be for a world record for a defender with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona all reportedly interested.