Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti is stunned by his Italy call-up.

"It is not easy to receive an Italy call after one year in the top flight," he told the official Cagliari website.

"I consider it a prize for all my teammates and the President who believed in me, as that is where it all began."

This is more important a dedication than one might think, as Marchetti reveals not everyone had faith in him.

"It is a fairytale that can serve as a lesson to so many lads who are starting out in football. I won't forget that three years ago I was unemployed and couldn't find a club to hire me, now I am working with the Nazionale and the reigning World Cup holders."