Paolo Maldini has never travelled tourist class in his life and has no intention of doing so now as he contemplates the end of his international career.
Which is why Italy's attempt to win the European Championship has, for him, turned into something of a personal crusade.
The Azzurri captain considers it an affront that he and his colleagues were all but written off before Euro 2000 after an unimpressive qualifying campaign and the poor showing of Serie A clubs in last season's Champions League and UEFA Cup.
Even the Italian support appeared to have lost heart before Sunday's 2-1 Group B defeat of Turkey - vast open spaces in Arnhem's Gelredome proving the point.
But Maldini, son of former Italian national coach Cesare, and a man always considered to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, is determined to prove that his country, at least, has not become a spent force in Europe.
He declared last night: 'People have been able to laugh a little at our misfortune. But this is a different story now, and for me it may be the last story as an international player in a major tournament.
'What happened to Italian clubs last season is gone now. Our critics can expect to see something else. I believe we can win this Championship. We have won our first game. That will be good for our hearts and our minds.
'Now we have not only motivation but momentum. I have had enough of heartbreak with the national side. I don't know how long I can carry on for, so this may be my last tournament and I want a medal to complete my career. I want it as much for me as for my country because I want the Italians to be proud of us again.'
Maldini has garnered six Serie A titles and three Champions League winner's medals.
But the AC Milan defender's mind bears several deep scars inflicted while on duty with the national side - Italy losing on penalties to Argentina in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, going out in the same way against Brazil in the 94 final, then once again finding that luck was not with them in the quarter-final shootout against France four years later.
Initially suspected of riding on his famous father's coat-tails - in Italy he was disparagingly referred to as 'daddy's boy' - the player who turns 32 next week is now only six caps off current national coach Dino Zoff's all-time record of 112 Italian appearances.
He may indeed have been born into the good life and has long been idolised by the Italian women for his dark, handsome looks. But his performances since breaking into the Italian team at the age of 18 have proved he also possesses a streetfighter's mentality.
It is that dogged temperament he now intends to call upon to help return credibility to Italian football. Victory over Belgium tomorrow night in Brussels would aid that quest, with a possible quarter-final place against England to come.
Team-mate Alessandro Del Piero, a substitute against Turkey, has insisted that Italy are not near their best. He said: 'That win was hardly a message to other teams in the tournament that we are back - we have to think bigger and better.'
But Maldini believes his side are about to reclaim their first-class tickets.
'When you look at the talent at our disposal you have to believe that it is only a matter of time before we return to the top,' he said. 'And maybe, as the Germans have so often done, we can transform ourselves now that we are actually in a tournament. Maybe, like them, we can turn adversity into victory.
'We were nervous against Turkey but there is new hope within us and good spirit, good camaraderie.
'We are starting to believe in ourselves again and we will get better now. This is our chance to prove ourselves again - and, for myself, I want that medal.'
