His outstanding displays for Roma have demanded attention but, since debuting in a qualifier against Switzerland in 1998, he hasn't managed to hold down a regular place in the national side as his preferred position just behind a front two doesn't fit with Zoff's rigid 4-4-2 formation.

However Zoff tinkered with his system in Italy's final warm-up games for Euro 2000 and Totti was the outstanding player in the Azzurri's 2-0 win over Portugal.

He faces stiff competition from Alessandro del Piero but Totti is certainly in form and his vision and passing are exceptional.