Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon picked his Top 11, including Andrea Pirlo, Roberto Baggio and Fabio Cannavaro.

The Italy captain was asked to choose an ideal XI of figures he has either played with or against in his career.

“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.

“Every kid who says they want to be a defender should be made to sit there and watch old videos of Maldini.

Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon picked his Top 11, including Andrea Pirlo, Roberto Baggio and Fabio Cannavaro.

The Italy captain was asked to choose an ideal XI of figures he has either played with or against in his career.

“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.

“Every kid who says they want to be a defender should be made to sit there and watch old videos of Maldini.

“I picked Cannavaro despite beating me to European Player of the Year in 2006! I’m kidding, he deserved it that year. He was the best defender in the world.

“I joined Juventus the same summer as Lilian Thuram. He had such power and aggression in his play, but was also so elegant.

“Pirlo is one of the real football geniuses. It’s entertaining to watch teams plan to stop him and in a second he just destroys their plan with brilliance.”

Among these superstars, it was perhaps odd to see Gennaro Gattuso picked in midfield.

“He’s a good friend, but also a beast to have in any team. He was the best in his position.

“Pavel Nedved was so loyal to Juventus after relegation and at that point in his career he could have played for any club in Europe.”

There was a surprising omission, as having Leo Messi, Ronaldo and Baggio together meant no room for Alessandro Del Piero.

“When Messi is at 100 per cent form, you can forget about trying to stop him. It’s just a wonder to watch him.

“I was 17 and made my debut against Roberto Baggio, which was frightening. He is the best Italian player of the last 30 years.

“Ronaldo is the best I ever played against. If it wasn’t for injury, I think he’d be talked about on the same level as Pele and Diego Maradona.”

Buffon’s Ideal XI: Casillas; Thuram, Cannavaro, Maldini, Roberto Carlos; Gattuso, Pirlo, Nedved; Baggio, Ronaldo, Messi

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