Ronaldo, Messi, Zidane: Peter Crouch picks his greatest Champions League XI ever

Peter Crouch has named his greatest ever Champions League XI.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham striker, who scored 11 Champions League goals, was asked to name his ‘immortals’ as BT Sport look back at the best players to grace the competition across its 30-year history.

To say that Crouch’s side is a strong one would be an understatement. View his selections below…

GK: Manuel Neuer

“This is a tough one, I’ve changed a couple of times. I initially went for Gianluigi Buffon, but I’ve gone with Neuer.

“With Neuer you’ve got absolutely everything. Someone as commanding, as big, as confident, his positioning… I feel like he’s the best goalkeeper.”

RB: Cafu

“I’ve played against him, and watched him for a long time. His engine… He was ahead of his time. He could still play now.”

LB: Roberto Carlos

“I can’t go for Marcelo, he got me sent off at the Bernabeu! Roberto Carlos is the man I’m going for.

“Defensively, not as good as Cafu. Offensively, absolutely unbelievable. The free-kicks were an added bonus. The ones he scored were absolutely incredible.

“Just a talent. Something different to what we see in this country. It’s difficult to leave Ashley Cole out but Carlos gets it for me.”

CB: Sergio Ramos

“The reason behind Ramos is that he’s a born winner. He’s win at all costs. If I was a manager, or a fan, there is no-one I’d rather have at centre-half than Ramos. The amount of Champions League’s he’s won, his CV speaks for himself. A top defender.”

CB: Paolo Maldini

“I’ve had the privilege to share the pitch with Maldini. He could play anywhere: centre-half, left-back… and be a class act.

“He was never caught out of position, even when he was playing at 37/38. The timing of the tackles, the reading of the game, just how