Italy and Monaco striker Marco Di Vaio has said he has now given up hope of playing for the Azzurri in the World Cup Finals in Germany.

The former Juventus striker feels that his loan move has come too late for him to make an impact on Marcello Lippi before the Italy coach picks his 23 man squad for the Finals in June

Di Vaio, who earned the last of his 14 caps in a World Cup qualifier against Belarus in October 2004, now hopes the French Championnat Ligue 1 side will exercise their option to buy him.

Di Vaio has been loaned to Monaco by Spanish Primera Liga side Valencia, who want a six million euro transfer fee for the striker.

“The World Cup is over for me,” Di Vaio told French sports daily L'Equipe.

“If I had arrived earlier and if I had had the possibility to play the whole season, it would have been possible. But I've arrived too late,” he added.

Di Vaio, who only joined Monaco in late December, has scored four goals in his nine appearances and Di Vaio now wants to settle at the club.

“I really want to stay and am ready to make financial sacrifices. My salary would not be a problem,” said the Azzurri forward.

Di Vaio joined Valencia from Juventus in July 2004, on a five year contract for a fee of 10.5 million euros (£7.5m).

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