Daniele De Rossi marked his international debut with a goal in the 2-1 win against Norway in Italy's opening World Cup qualifier and has kept his place in the squad ever since. The hard-working midfielder earned his call-up with a series of impressive displays as Italy won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2004 and collected bronze at the Athens Olympics in the same year. The 22-year-old is a product of Roma's youth system and has become one of the Giallorossi's most important players since making his Serie A debut in May 2003 - just 16 months before winning his first senior international cap.