Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has admitted that it is an "incredible" achievement for him to be on the verge of winning his 100th international cap.
The 31-year-old will reach the milestone if he plays in his country's Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia on Sunday evening.
"It would be an incredible thing to get 100 caps," De Rossi told Tuttosport. "It was unimaginable when I started. It is an achievement I will carry in my heart when I stop playing.
"I would like to be overtaken by someone young but I will always be someone who made 100 appearances for the national team.
"The high point of my experience is, and remains, the World Cup final win in Berlin in 2006. It was the highest point of my career but it will not stop me. Now I want to try to win the European Championship. It will not be easy but I want to try."
De Rossi has scored 16 goals for Italy in his 99 previous appearances.
