Javier Zanetti has chosen his dream Champions League XI made up of the world-class stars he played alongside and against during his 19-year spell at Inter Milan.
The 41-year-old, who hung up his boots in 2014, is himself often referred to as a legend after winning five Serie A titles, the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup during his illustrious career.
Here, Zanetti recalls the great names he shared a pitch with and explains why they’ve made his Champions League dream team.
Ronaldo | “Along with Messi he is the best
player I have shared a dressing room with. Of course he had so much
skill and ability, but people do not realise just how powerful he was.”
player I have shared a dressing room with. Of course he had so much
skill and ability, but people do not realise just how powerful he was.”
Ryan Giggs | “Without doubt one of the
toughest opponents that I have ever faced and I always have so much
respect for great players that stay at one club for their career.”
toughest opponents that I have ever faced and I always have so much
respect for great players that stay at one club for their career.”
Roberto Baggio | “I faced some of the best
strikers in the world in Serie A but I can’t think of one with the
natural ability of Baggio.”
strikers in the world in Serie A but I can’t think of one with the
natural ability of Baggio.”
Lionel Messi | “When you think Messi has
reached a ceiling and he can’t get any better, he surprises you. The
best in the world and very proud that he is Argentine.”
reached a ceiling and he can’t get any better, he surprises you. The
best in the world and very proud that he is Argentine.”
Xavi | “So much of Barcelona’s success is
because he had the intelligence to control the pace and movement of the
game. Still even has a big role to play for them now.”
because he had the intelligence to control the pace and movement of the
game. Still even has a big role to play for them now.”
Patrick Vieira | “A great football player of
course, but also a great athlete. He had the physical ability to be able
to boss the game from midfield.”
course, but also a great athlete. He had the physical ability to be able
to boss the game from midfield.”
Paolo Maldini | “Of course he is one of the
all-time great defenders but also a man of great loyalty and integrity.
It was a pleasure to face him in so many Milan derbies.”
all-time great defenders but also a man of great loyalty and integrity.
It was a pleasure to face him in so many Milan derbies.”
Roberto Ayala | “Is not talked about enough
as one of the great defenders of the generation, you do not win over a
100 caps for Argentina for no reason.”
as one of the great defenders of the generation, you do not win over a
100 caps for Argentina for no reason.”
Walter Samuel | “I played many times with him
for Inter and Argentina and it is easy to see why they call him ‘the
wall.’ The season we one the treble under Jose Mourinho he was
incredible.”
for Inter and Argentina and it is easy to see why they call him ‘the
wall.’ The season we one the treble under Jose Mourinho he was
incredible.”
Cafu | “Could attack as well as defend – the complete full back.”
Angelo Peruzzi | “It could have been him or
Gianluigi Buffon but I remember how commanding he was. A great
goalkeeper but also a great organiser of defenders.”
Gianluigi Buffon but I remember how commanding he was. A great
goalkeeper but also a great organiser of defenders.”
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