Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has shrugged off barbs from pundits that he's 'past it'.

The Real Madrid defender is only two caps away from Paolo Maldini's 126 mark and said: "This is the only way I know how to respond and always have done. I love my profession and hope to keep playing as long as I enjoy myself and feel good.

"I let this stuff slide off me now like water off a duck's back, because for the most part they come from people who have never played football.

"Besides, I still play for Real Madrid and am captain of Italy, so there's time to look towards the future. The important thing is to have fun and at my age what really counts is playing, feeling good and enjoying my football. I've had a good career."