Juventus maestro Andrea Pirlo has picked a dream team comprised of players that he has faced or played with in the Champions League over the course of a career that has spanned almost 20 years.
Published in British tabloid The Daily Mail, the World Cup winner set his team up in a 4-3-3 formation and unsurprisingly it contains many of his teammates from his time at AC Milan where the 35-year-old won two Champions League titles.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
“He has been at the top for so long. He makes saves that no other goalkeeper in the world can make. He knows how to command the defence and give confidence to them.”
Left Back: Philipp Lahm
“One of those players who never makes mistakes, always so reliable for Germany and Bayern. Probably doesn’t always get the credit, because it’s just so normal for him to be playing at such a high level now.”
Centre Back: Paolo Maldini
“A defender who could read the game like nobody else, so intelligent and always so calm on the ball. One of the true greats, for both Italy and Milan.”
Centre Back: Fabio Cannavaro
“A true leader that didn’t need to ask for respect, but naturally got it. Without doubt one of the best central defenders to have ever played.”
Right Back: Cafu
“Trend-setting in being one of the first truly great attacking full backs. Excellent at getting forward, but very strong defensively as well.”
Centre Midfield: Paul Scholes
“The truly great English midfield player of the generation. Didn’t just play the game, he thought about the game. You could see every pass, every decision, was based on his intelligence and understanding.”
Defensive Midfield: Gennaro Gattuso
“Rino is the opposition’s nightmare. Even in a training game, he plays like it is the World Cup final. The style of his game allows his team-mates time on the ball. Every team needs a Gattuso.”
Centre Midfield: Xavi
“Another intelligent midfield player. Didn’t need to spend the whole time running but would control so many games for Barcelona and Spain with his intelligence and range of passing.”
Left Forward: Kaka
“I remember how badly we took it as a team when Kaka left Milan. For two or three years he was the best player in the world. There was a point when teams just had no idea how to stop him.”
Striker: Fillipo Inzaghi
“Just the perfect goal scorer. We had this most incredible understanding. We did not even have to look for each other. He knew what pass I would make and I knew where he would be. You gave him a chance and he would take it.”
Right Forward: Lionel Messi
“Has achieved so much, but still I am sure will achieve so much more. I don’t need to talk in detail about what he is capable of. Everybody knows he is one of the greatest ever already.”
