Brazil legend Roberto Carlos picks his all-time Champions League dream team
Former Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos was recently asked by the Daily Mail to compile his dream Champions League XI, and not surprisingly, the Brazilian legend picked eight of his former Real Madrid team mates.
Carlos, who turned 42 today, has played with several world class footballers over his long and glittering career for both Brazil and the clubs he has represented, that includes the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
So, when asked to pick a dream XI with players he has played alongside and against, it wasn’t really a tough ask for the Akhisar Belediyespor manager, who did more than a formidable job of compiling a team with a lethal front-line, a very balanced midfield and a tight defence.
Goalkeeper:
Iker Casillas: “Iker Casillas One of the great goalkeepers in history, the titles he has won with Madrid is incredible. To play in goal at 19 years age in a Champions League final is unheard of. ”
Defenders:
Cafu: “Played with him for many years for Brazil, and I think he is the best right back of my lifetime and of any lifetime. One of the top five Brazilian players ”
Paolo Maldini: “Played against him for Madrid and Brazil, and he always showed so much composure as a defender. The sort of composure you want to be playing alongside.”
Fabio Cannavaro: “How often do defenders win world player of the year? The fact Fabio did, tells you everything you need to know.”
Roberto Carlos: “I had to pick myself; the attacking players need some competition when it comes to taking free kicks.”
Midfielders:
Clarence Seedorf: “You don’t win the Champions League with three different clubs without being a special player, but what many people do not know he is such a leader. He was always ready to teach and to advise. Special player and a special man. ”
Claude Makelele: “Playing with Makelele made players feel safe, if you made a mistake he would be there to clear it up. We really missed him when he left for Chelsea.”
Zinedine Zidane: “One of the all-time greats, what Zizou could do with a football will be remembered forever. An honour to say I have played with him.”
Attack:
Ronaldinho: “Magic feet, but was not just about tricks – he created and scored the goals to match his ability.”
Luis Figo: “He was so good; he used to give me such a hard time when we played Barcelona. When he signed for Madrid I thought excellent, until I then realised I would get a hard time every day in training.”
Ronaldo: “Born to score goals, any type of goal, he could score them all. A great friend and the most complete striker I have ever seen.”