The Milan forward is expected to spearhead the Azzurri’s attack in Brazil this summer after scoring 18 Serie A goals in 2013/14.
‘Super Mario’ helped Cesare Prandelli’s men reach the final of Euro 2012, converting a spot-kick in the quarter-final shootout success against England before bagging a brace to stun Germany in the semis.
In an interview with himself to mark the launch of PUMA’s Tricks boot, he joked:
"When I win the Golden Boot, it will go in my wardrobe with the rest of my shoes!
“I always believed I would be at a World Cup. It's every child's dream to play at the World Cup. You start playing football dreaming about that. I have done well in my career and I'm lucky enough to have the chance."
“I believe that Italy are a stronger team now,” he said. "We are a strong team and I try to play an important part in the same way that other big players do, like [Andrea] Pirlo, [Gianluigi] Buffon and another three or four key members of the team."
