Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo chose his Champions League dream team which included Juve players past and present.

The Daily Mail featured the maestro’s dream XI and his reasons for choosing each player:

 

Goalkeeper

Gianluigi Buffon

Pirlo’s verdict: ‘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.’

 

Defence

Phillip 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.’

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.’

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.’

Cafu

‘Trend-setting in being one of the first truly great attacking full backs. Excellent at getting forward, but very strong defensively as well.’

 

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.’

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.’

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.’

 

Attack

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.’

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.’

Pippo 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.’