Cannavaro: Now it's France's turn

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro has described Sunday's World Cup final as a dream come true.

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro has described his participation in this summer's World Cup final as a dream come true.

The Juventus defender, who has arguably been the player of the tournament, will win his 100th international cap against France to make the occasion even more poignant for the 32-year-old.

Cannavaro was a ball-boy at Italia 90 but now has the opportunity to write himself into Italian folklore by captaining the Azzurri to a fourth World Cup win.

"I was a ball-boy at the 1990 semi-final in Naples when Italy played against Argentina so to play in a World Cup final and earn my 100th cap as well is like a crowning dream," said Cannavaro. 

Cannavaro believes Italy have silenced many of their pre-tournament critics who labelled Marcello Lippi's side as negative.

"We have shown that we are able to play good football and the other sides find it difficult when we defend as we have done in this tournament," added Cannavaro.

"Germany struggled and we finished the match with four forwards on the pitch - that was a strong signal from Lippi.

"Now it's the turn of Zidane and the French players."