JOHN ARNE RIISE

The former Monaco, Liverpool and Roma full-back couldn’t help but select himself in a dream team of players he’s proud to have called team-mates

JAMIE CARRAGHER “The best defender I played alongside – he was perfect. He’d scream and shout all the time, and everyone knows he never, ever gave up. This made Carra the ideal team-mate. He may not have been the best technical player on the ball, but that didn’t matter because he was brilliant in the tackle. He worked for the team with everything he had, always fought for the cause and gave his all for Liverpool. He’s a good guy off the pitch, too.”

DANIELE DE ROSSI “He has unbelievable vision of the game in midfield. He is always really composed on the ball and can read the game better than anyone I ever played with. He’s also a superb passer and can see passes that no one else could pull off. He’s a terrific fighter in midfield and helps to connect the team together at Roma. Away from football, Daniele is one of the friendliest guys I know, and he was the player who spoke the best English when I moved to Italy in 2008 – that helped me a lot. He’s level-headed and very funny.”

FRANCESCO TOTTI “The God of Rome, and the biggest icon I ever played with. Francesco had finesse, technique, vision and finishing ability – everything. He was also extremely down to earth. None of it went to his head. His door was always open if anyone wanted a chat and he was so friendly. There was never any cockiness. Like Steven Gerrard – the most complete footballer I shared a pitch with – Totti was a hero at his club and the best player, but he’d make time for everyone. A true leader.”