Dutch legend Marco van Basten selects his dream Champions League XI
Former Netherlands striker Marco van Basten is undoubtedly one of greatest players in football and was part of the formidable AC Milan side of the 90s. That Milan side was called the dream team much like the Barcelona side under Pep Guardiola.
The Dutchman knows what it takes to win the European title which he did on two occasions with the Rossoneri. In fact, he scored a brace in the 1989 final as AC Milan ran out 4-0 winners against Steaua Bucharest. He also played a part as Milan defended their title in 1990 after beating Benfica 1-0.
The three-time Ballon d'Or winner selected his all time Champions League dream team for Dailymail. Not surprisingly many of his teammates at Milan feature in the team along with some truly great players.
GOALKEEPER
Gianluigi Buffon
A very good goalkeeper, one of the best of modern times. He has the perfect personality to be a keeper. He has such authority on the line when he is marshalling the defence in front of him.
DEFENCE
The Dutch legend said that he could not look past the famous Milan defence during his time at the club.
Mauro Tassotti
On the right side would be Tassotti, who was far more than a good defender. He liked to get forward and deliver lots of crosses for the forward players.
Alessandro Costacurta
One of the very best centre backs who played at Milan for such a long time. A very good defender, hard to beat - even in training.
Franco Baresi
He could play anywhere at the back and also what is forgotten is his ability to carry the ball forward out of defence and find the right pass.
Paolo Maldini
I have him on the left side here although he could play anywhere. He could get forward to cross and he set up lots of goals in his career.
MIDFIELD
The Dutchman has chosen a midfield that is packed by exceptional players who are technically brilliant. But is a defensive midfielder missing?
Andres Iniesta
With Xavi, he has helped Barcelona dominate the Champions League for the past 10 years. With his passing, he is one of the greatest.
Xavi
Again, one of the best midfielders of all time. With touch, skill and passing, he has helped Barcelona win everything.
Zinedine Zidane
He played like a ‘general’ in midfield. He has technique, tricks, passing and also has an ability to score some of the best goals.
FORWARDS
Here Van Basten has gone for three Barcelona players although one of them (Ronaldo) had a more famous spell for Real Madrid. One can only wonder whether they are better than Barcelona’s present day MSN (Messi-Suarez-Neymar)
Ronaldinho
At Barcelona and then at Milan, he was the big star. Created so many goals with dribbling and passing, and could score amazing free-kicks.
Lionel Messi
He would be the star of the team and is the absolute best of the last 20 years. Messi is just fantastic but I think he is not yet the best player of all time because he has not won the World Cup.
Ronaldo
The first Ronaldo, of course, not Cristiano. Back in the nineties, he made the difference in the Champions League for Barcelona and also later for Inter and Real. Scored a lot of goals.
