The thrill of playing with his country's national team won't materialize next week for Brazilian striker Amauri and seems to be little more than a dream for Italian veteran Paolo Maldini.

When the two squads meet in London on Tuesday, both players will watch the friendly on television, with the Juventus forward Amauri probably longing for a first cap that was offered to him last week.

Brazil's coach Dunga called up Amauri Carvalho de Oliveira, 28, to replace the injured Luis Fabiano, but was turned down by Juventus, who said they had not received an official request from the Brazilian federation (CBF).

Missing the game with the Selecao, however, leaves Amauri in a sort of no mans land where he has lived since applying for an Italian passport he can soon obtain through his wife, who is a Brazilian with Italian ancestors.

His good reputation and form - he scored 13 goals since arriving at Juve from Palermo last summer - has also triggered rumours of a possible call from Italy's coach Marcello Lippi as soon as the striker becomes an Italian citizen.

Lately, however, Amauri seems to have thrown in his lot with Brazil and was waiting for a call from Dunga.

"I'll keep working for my club and looking for space in the Selecao," the web site Esporte Interativo quoted him as saying. "I hope to be called again by Dunga for the next games."

He later said that "any reference to the Brazilian or Italian national team is entirely without ground," which apparently brings him back to an uncertain future as international footballer.

Things too, could be smoother for the AC Milan veteran Maldini and his hopes of playing a farewell game in the Azzurri's jersey, which he wore 126 times, captaining the side 74 times.

"I'd like to play a last game," Maldini said. "It wouldn't be a return to the national team, but the chance to celebrate a long career with the Azzurri squad. I would really enjoy it."

Maldini, 40, bid his farewell to the Azzurri in 2002, after South Korea eliminated Italy at the round of 16 stage of the World Cup.

The defender acknowledged that "Lippi must first of all consider the needs of the team."

The 2006 World Cup winning coach praised Maldini's career and did not rule out a farewell game, but noted that the game with Brazil is too close to take a decision.

"Maldini, beside, has not yet retired officially from football and we don't know when he'll take this decision," Lippi said.

"I think that this initiative is possible. First, though, he'll have to announce his farewell to football. Then we'll see if it is possible to organize the event."

A precedent occurred in April 2004 for Roberto Baggio, who played a friendly against Spain five years after his last game with the Azzurri.

The 1993 FIFA World Player retired at the end of the 2003/2004 season, playing his last Serie A game with Brescia against Milan and receiving a hug from Maldini as the crowd applauded him on his way out of the pitch.