Franceso Totti and Luca Toni left off Italy 30-man World Cup squad

Francesco Totti and Luca Toni have been left out of Italy's 30-man World Cup squad.

Totti retired from the national team after helping Italy win the 2006 World Cup, but there had been speculation that he could return.

Toni was Italy's main striker in 2006 and at the 2008 European Championship, but lost his place when he ran into problems at Bayern Munich to start this season.

Toni transferred to Roma in January and has helped the club keep pressure on leader Inter Milan heading into the final round of Serie A this weekend.

But coach Marcello Lippi left both players off the preliminary squad announced Tuesday. The seven forwards chosen were Marco Borriello, Antonio Di Natale, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Giampaolo Pazzini, Fabio Quagliarella and Giuseppe Rossi.

In defense, Juventus center back Nicola Legrottaglie was not included despite taking part in a two-day Azzurri training camp last week.

Otherwise, there were no big surprises in the list, which will be cut down to 23 by June 1. Italy will train at altitude in Sestriere starting May 23, and has friendlies against Mexico on June 3 in Brussels and Switzerland two days later in Geneva.

In South Africa, the World Cup holders open against Paraguay on June 14 and also face New Zealand and Slovakia in Group F.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo).

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan).

Forwards: Marco Borriello (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal).

Gigi Buffon: “We have to have more team spirit”

“We have to find the team spirit that was missing in the Confederations Cup. We can find it only by playing well, winning, and suffering all together. We want to give everything we can for the upcoming World Cup, remember we are the World champions”: a clear message that Gianluigi Buffon launched from Coverciano, where the national team is preparing for the two qualifying matches against Georgia and Bulgaria.

Juventus, Cassano and the league season are the main issues during the press conference with the goalkeeper. “I do not know whether the Juventus block here on the national team is an advantage – said Buffon, refereeing to the presence of eight Juventus players on the team.

But Lippi made his choices based on the league season. Juve is a high level team and has decided to count on Italian players: it is normal that the head coach follows up closely on what the Juventus team is doing”. With regards to Cassano: “Lippi explained his decision, and I do not think the doors are closed for Cassano. The team has neven been opposed to any player.

From now until the World Cup anything can happen. It is pointless to say that there are situations that can make some people unhappy, but we have to be coherent. First comes the group, and the decisions are up to the coach”.

An answer to the Inter coach, Mourinho: “Juventus fans have the right to dream about winning the league title. We have to be realistic: it will be very difficult. Inter is the best team all-around. And even though they took two titles from us, they cannot take away our dreams.”

Source: FIGC

Fabio Cannavaro, the recordman. He broke Paolo Maldini testimony.

On Wednesday, Fabio Cannavaro broke Paolo Maldini’s all-time Squadra Azzurra record for most caps by making his 127th appearance in the Italian National team in the friendly match against Switzerland.

Cannavaro made his debut for the Squadra Azzurra in a friendly against Northern Ireland on 22 January 1997. According to Infostrada Sports, he came on as a substitute for Alessandro Costacurta in the 71st minute.

Most international matches for Italy
Caps Player First cap Last cap
127 Fabio Cannavaro 22 Jan 1997 12 Aug 2009
126 Paolo Maldini 31 Mar 1988 18 Jun 2002
112 Dino Zoff 20 Apr 1968 29 May 1983
96 Gianluigi Buffon 29 Oct 1997 12 Aug 2009
94 Giacinto Facchetti 27 Mar 1963 16 Nov 1977
91 Alessandro Del Piero 25 Mar 1995 10 Sep 2008
88 Gianluca Zambrotta 10 Feb 1999 12 Aug 2009
81 Marco Tardelli 07 Apr 1976 25 Sep 1985
81 Franco Baresi 04 Dec 1982 07 Sep 1994
81 Giuseppe Bergomi 14 Apr 1982 03 Jul 1998

Alberto Aquilani to Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC today confirmed they have agreed a deal with AS Roma for the transfer of Italian international Alberto Aquilani, subject to a medical.

Liverpool concluded their discussions with Roma once the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid was finally agreed.

Aquilani, who recently celebrated his 25th birthday, is expected to feature heavily for Italy in next year’s World Cup finals. Although he is central midfielder, he scored 20 goals during his career.

Accoring to Reds Press, Rafa Benitez said: "Alberto is a very good player and I'm delighted we've reached agreement with Roma for his transfer. He will travel to Merseyside later this week for a medical. Alberto has a winning mentality and great experience in both Serie A and the Champions League.

"He has long been recognised as a top class talent in Italy, captaining his country at both Under 19 and Under 21 levels before establishing himself in the senior national side."