Gianluigi Buffon will not rush his return from injury after having surgery on Sunday to repair a herniated disc, ruling him out of action for around three months.
"I have taken a big weight off my shoulders,'' said Buffon to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. "Perhaps I should have done this before considering I had this problem from the beginning of 2008. But everything has gone well and this gives me peace of mind and confidence.
"Now I must not be in a hurry to get back, I need to take the necessary time to return without any risk of having a recurrence.''
Buffon missed five months last season due to injuries but recovered and was a member of Italy's squad at the World Cup. A back injury sustained in Italy's group opener against Paraguay forced Buffon to miss the rest of the tournament as the Azzurri were knocked out in the first round of the competition.
"Considering my role, I think my career is still a long one and without the hernia I would have been able to lengthen it further,'' he said. "My future with the national team? I believe I deserve my place. I've had (new Italy manager Cesare) Prandelli as a rival coach since my youth years and I knew back then that he has an exceptional rapport with his players.
"He is part of the group and I think that is very important.''
Buffon will replace Fabio Cannavaro as skipper of the national team after the latter retired from international duty after the World Cup.
"For me this is the maximum that any player can aspire to,'' he said. "It's a responsibility but above all an honour.''