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Gianluigi Buffon is without a doubt one of the best goalkeepers the world of football has ever seen, and his exploits with the Italian national team and Juventus in his 20-year career as a professional footballer. Buffon may not have experienced the feeling that it is to lift the Champions League trophy, but he has played his fair share of matches in the prestigious tournament.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Italian goalkeeper was asked to pick his very own Champions League Dream Team and explain the reason behind his choice. This is how Buffon’s team shaped up to be:
Goalkeeper:
Iker Casillas
“Thomas N’Kono was who I grew up admiring, but from my generation, Iker Casillas is one of the few goalkeeping greats. There has always been a mutual respect between us.”
Defence:
Roberto Carlos
“I have had to make saves from him, and it’s hard to explain how hard he can hit the ball. He is so dangerous from defence.”
Paolo Maldini
“Every kid who says they want to be a defender should be made to sit there and watch old videos of Maldini.”
Fabio Cannavaro
‘I still have not forgiven him for beating me for European player in 2006. I am kidding, only he deserved it that year; he was the best defender in the world.”
Lilian Thuram
“We joined Juventus in the same summer. He had such power and aggression in his play, but was also so classy.”
Midfield
Andrea Pirlo
“One of the real footballing geniuses. It’s entertaining to watch team’s plans to stop him, and in a second he just destroys their plan with brilliance.”
Gennaro Gattuso
“A good friend, but a beast to have in any team. He was the best in his position.”
Pavel Nedved
“So loyal to Juventus after their relegation, and at that point in his career he could have played for any club in Europe.”
Forward
Lionel Messi
“When he is playing at a 100 percent, you can forget about playing against him. It is just a wonder to watch him and see what he can do.”
Roberto Baggio
“I was 17 and made my debut against Baggio which was daunting. Along with Pirlo, he is the best Italian player of the last 30 years.”
Ronaldo (Lima, Brazilian)
“The best I have ever played against, if it wasn’t for injury I think he would be talked about on same level as Pele and Diego Maradona.”
