Gianluigi Buffon is arguably football’s greatest ever goalkeeper; a role model for any young player – the Turin man exemplifies the requirements for the position. Consequently, the World Cup winner has played with some of the games best ever players.
We’ve put together a team of Buffon’s best players that he has played with – combining the sides of Parma and Juventus to the Italian national team. As you may predict, the defence for the team is ridiculous – which is why we’ve opted for a five at the back formation (with wingbacks).
GK) Gianluigi Buffon
Of course, the man himself will start between the sticks. Image Source: Twitter
RWB) Lilian Thuram
To start football's greatest ever defence, we have one of France's best ever full-backs on the right-hand side. Image Source: Pinterest
RCB) Fabio Cannavaro
The centre-half with a Ballon d'Or to his name.
Image Source: Footyfair
CB) Alessandro Nesta
No words necessary for the man who was the Serie A defender of the year four times. Image Source: Playbuzz
LCB) Giorgio Chiellini
Turin's current defensive king. Image Source: The Score
LWB) Paolo Maldini
Yep, we've managed to fit Cannavaro, Nesta, Chiellini and Maldini in the same team. Rolling back the years at left-back. Image Source: Football Tribute
CM) Daniele De Rossi
Rome's heir to the throne of Totti.
Image Source: Zimbio
CM) Andrea Pirlo twitter
All set pieces are decided.
Image Source: Twitter
LW) Pavel Nedved
Czech's greatest ever player. Image Source: Twitter
RW) Alessandro Del Piero
The King of Juventus.
Image Source: Eurosport
ST) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan: the perfect target man for our defensive team. Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Francesco Totti
A spot on the bench for the emperor of Rome. Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Carlos Tevez
When not heading off on random golf holidays, the Argentine was one of football's most dangerous attackers. Image Source: Twitter
SUB) David Trezeguet
The vast amount of quality in the team mean it's a spot on the bench for the former Juventus hitman.
Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Edgar Davids
Dutch midfield maestro.
Image Source: FCInter1908
SUB) Gianluca Zambrotta
Legendary full-back - unlucky to be competing against Maldini for a starting spot. Image Source: Twitter
SUB) Leonardo Bonucci
Too much competition at centre-back: spoilt for choice. Image Source: Twitter
Whether you’re in the team or on the bench, it’s an honour to be part of such a star-studded team. It’s rare that you’ll find a team with so many players who have remained loyal to one club, or contributed massively to the history of one side.
But not just that, this is easily football’s greatest ever defence; we can’t imagine too many goals going in against a side filled with Italy’s most legendary defenders. With so many of the games best ever defenders having played with Gianluigi Buffon, he has undoubtedly been blessed to have such reliable players in front of him – but it’s no less than the legendary goalkeeper deserves.
It’s a shame that the Champions League has avoided the Italian goalkeeper, but, Buffon isn’t the only great player not to win Europe’s most coveted prize, the Juventus man’s career won’t be tarnished by the elusive trophy.
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