MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid's Italian international defender Fabio Cannavaro said Friday he was keen to extend his contract with the Spanish champions beyond its 2009 deadline.

"Of course without any problem," the 35-year-old World Cup-winning captain said in an interview with El Mundo.

Cannavaro's agent said recently that 2008-2009 would be the former Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan and Juventus player's final season at Madrid.

But Cannavaro said: "Before talking to another team we will talk to Real."

"Here before matches there is laughter, music and joy," he said, comparing Spanish football to Italian where "if you smile you run the risk of being accused of not being ready for the match".

But Canavaro admitted that he would find it hard to give up his international career.

"It would cost me a lot to say no."

Cannavaro, who underwent ankle surgery at the beginning of June, returned to training this week.