Del Piero eager to captain Italy

Del Piero enjoyed a superb season for Juventus

Alessandro del Piero says he would relish the chance to lead Italy after captain Fabio Cannavaro was ruled out of Euro 2008 because of injury.

The 33-year-old is the most capped player in the squad, with 86, but it is unlikely coach Roberto Donadoni will pick him to start against Netherlands.

"If you ask me if I feel like the captain, I say I do," he said.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is expected to be named skipper for Monday's opening game in Berne.

Juventus captain Del Piero, in his seventh major tournament with Italy, was the leading scorer in Serie A last campaign with 21 goals.

And in the previous season the forward rattled in 20 goals for the Turin side during their one season in Serie B - punishment for their involvement in Italy's match-fixing scandal.

Del Piero puts his good form down to his marriage and the birth of his son.

"It certainly changed my life," he said.

"I'm coming on after two fantastic years, but the earlier years weren't bad either."