text: Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been plying his trade in Serie A for the best part of 20 years and has graced the same field as some of the world's best. A seven-time Scudetto winner with Juventus, Buffon has played with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Paval Nedved and Lilian Thuram. Here, Buffon recalls the great names he played alongside and against and explains why they've made his Champions League dream team. Legendary Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has picked his Champions League dream team . GOALKEEPER . Iker Casillas . Thomas N’Kono was who I grew up admiring, but from my generation, Iker Casillas is one of the few goalkeeping greats. There has always been a mutual respect between us. Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas lifts the Champions League trophy after victory against Atletico Madrid . DEFENCE . Roberto Carlos . I have had to make saves from him, and it’s hard to explain how hard he can hit the ball. He is so dangerous from defence. Roberto Carlos, pictured holding the Champions League trophy in 2000, makes Buffon's team . Paolo Maldini . Every kid who says they want to be a defender should be made to sit there and watch old videos of Maldini. Former AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini won the Champions League on five occasions during his career . Fabio Cannavaro . I still have not forgiven him for beating me for European player in 2006. I am kidding, only he deserved it that year; he was the best defender in the world. Fabio Cannavaro, pictured kissing the Ballon d'Or trophy in November 2006, lines up in Buffon's defence . Lilian Thuram . We joined Juventus in the same summer. He had such power and aggression in his play, but was also so classy. Buffon hailed former Juve defender Lilian Thuram for his 'power and aggression' MIDFIELD . Andrea Pirlo . One of the real footballing geniuses. It’s entertaining to watch team’s plans to stop him, and in a second he just destroys their plan with brilliance. Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo is a 'footballing genius' according to his Juve team-mate Buffon . Gennaro Gattuso . A good friend, but a beast to have in any team. He was the best in his position. Gennaro Gattusso, seen here playing for AC Milan against Arsenal in 2008,  features in Buffon's midfield . Pavel Nedved . So loyal to Juventus after their relegation, and at that point in his career he could have played for any club in Europe. Pavel Nedved made 247 appearances for Juve during a glittering career with the Serie A side . ATTACK . Lionel Messi . When he is playing at a 100 per cent, you can forget about playing against him. It is just a wonder to watch him and see what he can do. Barcelona star Lionel Messi has won three Champions League titles with the Catalan giants . Roberto Baggio . I was 17 and made my debut against Baggio which was daunting. Along with Pirlo, he is the best Italian player of the last 30 years. Roberto Baggio scored 27 goals in 56 appearances for Italy and makes Buffon's all-time XI . Ronaldo (Brazilian) The best I have ever played against, if it wasn’t for injury I think he would be talked about on same level as Pele and Diego Maradona. Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo leads the line in Buffon's Champions League dream team (right)
target: Gianluigi Buffon has picked his all-time Champions League XI .
  37-year-old goalkeeper has made 418 appearances for Juventus .
  Buffon opts for a number of former team-mates including Paval Nedved .
  Italian decides to keep himself out of the team and selects Iker Casillas .
  CLICK HERE to see Ronaldinho's Champions League dream team .