Italy skipper, Gianluigi Buffon, is poised to join World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro as the Azzurri’s most-capped player.

He is then certain to go on and claim the record for himself.

The 35-year-old shot-stopper has had his doubters in the past few years, but in that time he has led Juventus to two successive Serie A titles, and has also been at the helm of Italy’s re-emergence as a global force, following their slide after their shock World Cup win in Germany.

Buffon is expected to start in goal for Italy in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, which would see him equal Cannavaro’s 135-cap record.

He has long been considered one of football’s greatest ever ‘keepers, and his longevity at the highest level is certainly impressive.

Click here to watch Gigi Buffons most incredible saves.

Speaking ahead of Italy’s next matches, Buffon spoke of his pride at nearing such a special landmark in his stellar career.

 "It would represent a special achievement, but not necessarily something unthinkable seeing as I started playing for the national team very early,” he said.

"It's a wonderful feeling, because I've had 16 incredible years, even though I suffered an injury that could have changed a lot of things. I believe that I've done well over the years and always been determined to keep pushing myself.

"Of all the Italy matches I've played, I can tell you that the last hundred have not just been games of football but much more than that: they have been played with passion, spirit, emotion, the sense of responsibility that comes from representing your country and the desire to make our fans happy."

Who do you think the greatest ‘keeper of all-time is? Click here to tell us.