The Watchtower

Lazio Rome captain Alessandro Nesta (L) and AS Roma striker Argentinian Gabriel Batistuta fight for the ball during the Italian First League derby AS Roma vs Lazio Rome, 27 October 2001 at Rome's Olympic Stadium. AFP PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS

le prince Albert de Monaco (G) remet la coupe au capitaine de l'équipe italienne Lazio de Rome, Alessandro Nesta (C), le 27 août 1999 au stade Louis II à Monaco, à 'issue de la rencontre Manchester/Lazio comptant pour la finale de la Super Coupe de l'UEFA. (IMAGE ELECTRONIQUE)

Tall, charismatic and handsome, Alessandro Nesta is one of the world's most highly prized defenders with a full range of skills that includes visionary, pin-point passing.

He joined Roman club Lazio in 1992, enjoying as captain the fruits of their success between 1998-2001.

During this spell, Lazio won the Cup Winners' Cup, reached the UEFA Cup final, won a Supercup, two Italian Cups and the dramatic Italian championship in 2000 when Lazio pipped Juventus by gaining ten points over them in the last eight games.

In August 2002 the then 26-year-old moved north to AC Milan for a fee of 30.2 million euros on a five-year deal where he joined a formidable defence of Paolo Maldini, Brazil captain Cafu and Alessandro Costacutra

That season AC Milan were simply irresistible in Europe and after a penalty shoot-out win over Juventus at Old Trafford in May 2003, Nesta picked up a Champions League winners medal, just about the greatest honour in club football.

Though Milan were eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League by Deportivo in 2004, they won the Italian Championship in great style by defeating rivals Roma with three games to go.

Baresi's successor

Italian defender Alessandro Nesta (L) dribbles past French forward Thierry Henry during the Euro-2000 soccer final match between France and Italy at Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam, 02 July 2000.

Nesta was born in Rome in 1976 and followed a path through the usual youth team channels before finally reaching the ultimate destination, the national side, in October 1996 in a match against Moldova.

Since that day he has skipped past 50 international caps and looks set to clear 100.

He can reflect with satisfaction on a period in which he has taken over the role of defensive watchtower much as the great Franco Baresi did before him.

"He is the most complete player in the world in his position," Baresi has said of him.

Italian defender Alessandro Nesta (R) smiles during a press conference 09 June 2000 as the national soccer team prepares its first Euro-2000 match against Turkey, 11 June.

His iron will was tested to the limit after the 1998 World Cup in France, where an injury to knee ligaments forced him on to the operating table.

By the time Euro 2000 came along he was a trusted rock in the brilliant Italian defence that so resiliantly held on against the rampaging Dutch in the semi-final only to be unlocked by a devastating late show by France in the final.

Foot problem

Italian defender Alessandro Nesta (L) heads off the ball despite Croatian forward Alen Boksic during the Group G first round match Italy/Croatia of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, 08 June 2002 at Kashima Ibaraki stadium. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN

Out in Japan-Korea Nesta was knocked out of contention by a foot injury

in a group match loss against Croatia, who scored twice late on while he was off the pitch.

He was therefore unable to play in the controversial defeat against South Korea that sent Italy into outrage and mourning.

Italy eventually stormed to Euro 2004 qualification after a nervous start. Nesta has been a crucial part of that effort and willl be fundamental to any national success out in Portugal.

He also helped AC Milan to the Italian championship in 2004 in a fine campaign for the San Siro outfit.