Italy coach Marcello Lippi says Wayne Rooney is world class – and dreams of a showdown with Fabio Capello.

The World Cup-winning boss said: “Wayne Rooney is a major player for England. He is one of the best players in the world.

“His technical and mental skills have a major effect on his team, he is simply extraordinary.

“It would be great to come up against Fabio Capello's England side at some stage of the tournament, I would absolutely love that.”

Lippi is also confident Italy can retain the World Cup for only the third time in history, following on from Brazil in 1962 and Italy in 1938.

He added: “During the last 80 years the World Cup has only been won twice in a row, by ourselves and Brazil, there is evidence that it will be tough for anyone else to achieve that feat. We have the chance again though.

“We didn't perform that well in our qualification for the tournament, but my players will have the chance to come together and prove we are capable of retaining the trophy.

“Italy doesn't go to World Cup finals just to perform well, Italy will go to South Africa to win.

“We cannot forget we are still the world champions and that’s not boasting, it is just as a nation we know what is necessary to win it again.

“To achieve this we need to be psychologically prepared, have the technical skill, be positive and also have a bit of luck – why not?