Having represented Spain 100 times and having appeared for Barcelona in almost 600 matches, center back Carles Puyol squared off against some of the world’s greatest players in a senior career that ran from 1999 to 2014.
The three-time UEFA Champions League winner and 2010 FIFA World Cup champion was himself on UEFA’s Team of the Year on six different occasions, so there’s probably no better judge of talent than Puyol himself.
His selected best XI is a rehashing of some of the greatest football matches of the 21st century. In net, Puyol has selected Gianluigi Buffon — the man Puyol and Spain eliminated in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, a key victory that fueled his country’s next four years of international dominance.
In defense, Puyol has picked four of the most consistent legends in the history of the game. Javier Zanetti enjoyed an illustrious career with Internazionale, Alessandro Nesta is widely regarded as one of the most gifted defenders to have ever played the game, Paolo “Il Capitano” will never be replicated and Roberto Carlos redefined the full back position.
Photo: Lineup Builder
The spine of Puyol’s team speaks of his admiration for Italian strength and solidity, with the Spaniard naming Andrea Pirlo in midfield alongside Real Madrid rivals Zinedine Zidane and Clarence Seedorf.
The forward three are the players Puyol was charged with personally shutting down in some major games. Arjen Robben lined up against Puyol in the 2010 World Cup Final, Didier Drogba had some epic battles with Puyol at Chelsea in the Champions League and Sergio Aguero played extensively for Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
The most obvious name not on the list is Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, a player Puyol came up against frequently while Ronaldo played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal.
(H/T: Squawka)
