Position: Defender
Born: 19.02.77
Club: Juventus

Gianluca Zambrotta has been a fixture in the Italy side since he earned his first call-up in 1999.

Capable of playing on either side, in defence or on the wing, Zambrotta's versatility has had made him a valuable player for a succession of Italy coaches.

The emergence of Mauro Camoranesi, for both Juventus and Italy, meant the Como-born player had to drop back to defence for club and country - a conversion he has made effortlessly.

Blessed with a wicked cross and a tireless ability to get up and down the flank, Zambrotta is a danger on the break and is likely to be an important figure in Marcello Lippi's starting XI in Germany.

Zambrotta joined Juventus from Bari, where he won his first international cap, in 1999 when the Turin club splashed out 15.8million euros for his services.

The move has been mutually beneficial to both parties with Zambrotta collecting three Scudetto medals and two Italian Super Cups since joining.