Massimiliano Allegri Quotes

What differences were there between Maradona and Platini?

Ronaldo certainly scores goals, but I do too. He certainly scores more than I do, but we don't have the same style.

It's true: with players like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it's difficult to catch them.

I had the good luck to have the experience of training with fantastic football players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ozil, Modric, and I also played for Real Madrid B. That was a fantastic experience because it was my first international experience as a football player and taught me a lot as a football player.

They are among the three best in the world: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar are the three best players in the world and I'm happy I have one of them playing alongside me.

I really like Neymar too, but I really like Messi.

My brother was the one who really gave me the desire to follow in his footsteps. Also, it was really Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, the two Brazilian players, who also inspired me to a future in football.

I always liked watching Ronaldo and Ronaldinho; they were the players who I dreamt about meeting. They inspired me a lot in my own style of play.

Players such as Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Mirko Vucinic are all world-class.

Lots of great players, like Zidane and Figo, are about the same age as me.

I don't recognize myself in the players I see today. There's only one who excites me, and that is Thierry Henry. He's not just a great footballer, he's a showman, an entertainer.

To be honest, there are no problems between me and Messi. People have their own opinions about who they think is the better player. It is what it is, but there is no rivalry beyond games and what happens on the pitch.

I rate Fabien Barthez and played with two great keepers in Alex Stepney and Harry Gregg.

I have the advantage of having worked with Messi and Mascherano at Barcelona.

Chinese players are not as naturally skilled like South American or European players, like players who learned football when they were kids. They're not good.

Two English defenders were among the finest I played against: John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Players like Rio Ferdinand and Patrick Vieira have supported me, and I just want to say thank you.

Top-flight football players are a strange bunch.

Neymar and Hazard are amazing talents, but the player who gave me most trophies was Diego Costa.

There are many good players, in Italy and abroad.

People compare me to Verratti, and I do really like him, but we have very different playing styles.

I looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo, and then it was always Didier Drogba.

There's different types of strikers: Harry Kane is a wonderful finisher, Jamie Vardy has great pace and has come onto the scene exceptionally well and is playing consistently, and Wayne Rooney is a player I have admired during all of his career.

Dybala's game is easier on the eye, but Pogba is extraordinary because he has physicality and technique.

It's special - when you start playing, you are aware of names like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie; you have seen them playing and know what great players they are. So it's fantastic to have a chance to line up with them. I'm really pleased with how that understanding has started off.