Pretoria, South Africa  - Former World Footballer of the Year Fabio Cannavaro seems likely to miss Italy's opening Group B Confederations Cup match against the US in Pretoria on Monday.

The defender, who needs just three more games to break Paolo Maldini's record of 126 games for the Azzurri, is suffering from an injury to his right calf and could possibly also miss his side's second game against Egypt.

The 35-year-old, who on Friday was given the Freedom of the City of Pretoria, was looking forward to breaking Maldini's record in the game against Brazil in Pretoria on June 21.

Cannavaro will be joining Juventus from Real Madrid at the start of the new season. (dpa)