In the build-up to Germany 2006, Pele was asked whether he considered Brazil to be the runaway favourites everyone was portraying them to be.

His answer? In a word, yes. There was, however, one qualification. "To be sure of winning," he said, "the Brazilian team only needs one player: Alessandro Nesta ."

The Italy centre-half would later describe this as one of the most gratifying compliments he had ever received and, in a career that has seen him win 76 caps and every one of Italian and European football's most sought-after prizes, Nesta has had plenty of those.

Even Franco Baresi, to whom he is the heir apparent with both AC Milan and the national team, cannot find fault in a player he has lauded as "the most complete player in the world in his position".

Yet, if there is a gap in Nesta's formidable CV, it is to be found under the heading ‘FIFA World Cup™ experience'. At France 98, after all, he damaged knee ligaments in Italy's second group game against Austria and was scarcely more fortunate four years later in Korea/Japan , when injury again forced him on to the sidelines.

He only missed one game in 2002, in fact, but it was with disastrous consequences as Italy crashed out to a headed Ahn Jung-Hwan Golden Goal that would, it was later widely suggested, never have come about had Nesta been on the pitch. Now, with the 30-year-old admitting that this FIFA World Cup is likely to be his last, he is desperate to add some international silverware to a glittering collection from his spells with Milan and Lazio.

"Club football serves as a basis," Nesta himself has said, "but a player can only truly win a place in people's hearts – and that includes the hearts of opposing fans – when he represents his country."

Alessandro Nesta's adidas +10 team

Firstly, I should say that my dream team will be set up in a 4-3-3 formation. Also, I have decided that I am only going to pick people I've actually played with.

I'd have Gianluigi Buffon as my goalie because I've been playing in the national squad with him for ten years and I think he's the number one in that position.

Then I'd have Cafu, a very experienced Brazilian and a very good skipper. Paolo Maldini would be my left defender and then in the middle I would have Jaap Stam, because you always need someone powerful in your team. I would play on the left side of central defence beside Stam.

In midfield, I'd have Pavel Nedved, a great player with whom I played when I was at Lazio, and beside him I would play Juan Sebastian Veron and Andrea Pirlo. Up front, my first pick would be Andriy Shevchenko, an amazing player whose scoring record at the highest level is excellent.

Then I'd have Christian Vieri, another great attacker. Finally, I'd have Beppe Signori, whom I played with at Lazio, to make up my attacking. He's a bit smaller, but was a very fast, tricky player to come up against.

Take a look back at Arjen Robben's adidas +10 team.