Daniele De Rossi’s World Cup medal buried with Italy’s faithful kitman

There were three veterans of Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph missing when the team met up at the Coverciano training centre in Florence yesterday to prepare for matches against Spain and Germany.

One was Andrea Pirlo, another Daniele De Rossi, both household names.

Pirlo is now playing in the United States and semi-retired from international football, while De Rossi is struggling with an injury that could put him out of the running for the European finals in June.