Italy great Dino Zoff hospitalized with viral infection

ROME (AP) Former World Cup-winning goalkeeper Dino Zoff says his condition is improving after three weeks in the hospital for a viral infection.

Zoff tells La Repubblica's website, ''I had some complications that unsettled me but now I'm feeling fairly good. I'm on the right track.''

He adds that he's ''saved'' himself just like he used to block goals.

The condition of the 73-year-old Zoff hadn't been made public until an article in Rome daily Il Messaggero was published on Saturday.

Zoff became the oldest winner of the World Cup as the 40-year-old captain of Italy during the 1982 tournament in Spain.

He also won six Serie A titles with Juventus.

Zoff coached Italy at the 2000 European Championship and also managed Juventus, Lazio, and Fiorentina. He last coached in 2005.