In our midst: Fabio Cannavaro (left) is seen in action during the 2006 World Cup. The former Italian defender will meet fans and take part in a football training session for under-15s at Thong Nhat Stadium in HCM City. — AFP/VNA File Photo

HCM CITY — Former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro will arrive in Viet Nam tomorrow at the invitation of Eximbank.

The 39-year-old will take part in a series of activities in HCM City, including a press conference at Caravelle Hotel, a football training session for an under-15 local team at Thong Nhat Stadium and meeting fans at the Youth Cultural House.

Cannavaro started his career in Napoli in 1992, before playing for Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid. He retired at the age of 37 last year due to a persistent knee injury while playing at the Al Ahli club in the United Arab Emirates. During his 19-year career, Cannavaro played in four World Cups and holds an Italian record of 136 international appearances, in which he scored two goals.

In 2006, which is seen as his most successful year, the defender helped his national team win their fourth World Cup. He later won the European Golden Ball award and was named footballer of the year.

Cannavaro is not the first high-profile international player to visit Viet Nam. In 2005, David Beckham went to HCM City to present the FIFA Gold Cup to the public and popular footballers Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato from the Brazilian Olympic team played against Viet Nam's national team in Ha Noi in 2008.

Last year, Manchester United's South Korean Park Ji-sun teamed with his friends competed against Navibank Sai Gon in a friendly match in the Asian Dream Cup charity football tournament. — VNS