Fabio Capello’s stock may have faded in recent years, but there is no denying that in the 90s and the early 2000s, the Italian was one of the top managers in world football.

The 70-year-old enjoyed astounding success with Italian giants AC Milan, coaching some of the best players to have played for the Rossoneri during his tenure. Roma will forever be indebted to him for leading them to a Serie A title and while neither of his stints at Real Madrid were long-lasting, he did win the La Liga both times he managed Los Blancos. And under his reign, Juventus won the league twice (the titles were later revoked due to the ensuing Calciopoli scandal) to put him at a true elite bracket at that time. 

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Having managed four of the continent’s biggest clubs, Capello worked with some of the best players in the world and in a Facebook video with Laureus, he got down to the unenviable task of making a best XI from the players he managed. 

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

“The best keeper in the last 15 years, he won the World Cup, he won a lot of trophies. The best because he is complete”.

Left-back: Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)

“I bought him for Real Madrid. We signed Roberto Carlos in 12 hours. It’s a record I think”.

Centre-back: Franco Baresi (AC Milan)

“He’s like a driver for defenders. Fast, strong, intelligent tactically". 

Centre-back: Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)

“Started with me in the academy, and had a fantastic career with AC Milan. We won every kind of title”.

Right-back: Cafu (AC Milan)

“He was good as a defender, fantastic going forward. World champion like Buffon, I like professionals". 

Holding Midfield: Fernando Redondo (AC Milan)

“A player that all managers liked. Professional. You need him to defend”.

Centre Midfield: Frank Rijkaard (AC Milan)

“Behind Redondo, Rijkaard. Another really important player. The same level. Probably better than him going forward”.

Left-wing: Raul (Real Madrid)

"Fantastic player, fantastic man, fantastic for the group".

Right-wing: Dejan Savicevic (AC Milan)

“One of the players with a fantastic imagination, he was one of the most important players with me”.

Attacking midfield: Ruud Gullit (AC Milan) 

“Gullit played more with me and was important and good”.

Centre-forward: Marco van Baasten (AC Mian)

“Really strong as a player, really strong as a manager, a really professional player”.

Substitute 1: Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

“Ronaldo didn't play as much with me but if I had to chose one incredible player I need to put him in”.

Substitute 2: Francesco Totti (Roma)

“(Pointing to several positions) He can play here, here, here. I need to put him in”.