Gattuso prefers to play with Modric rather than Ronaldo or Messi

Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso reveals he would have ‘loved’ to play with Luka Modric and faced Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi as opponents.

Gattuso was quizzed by UEFA’s YouTube channel on today’s players he would have liked as teammates and rivals, as well as the Hollywood actor to play him in a film and soundtrack to his life.

“Everyone says Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, but I’d have loved to play with Luka Modric,” said the former Italy midfielder.

“I think he’s an incredible player, really strong mentally and a pure footballer. Back in the day there were some animals about, Edgar Davids, Dennis Wise, Paul Ince at the start of my career, players full of character.

“From the current era, I’d like to come up against Paul Pogba. Another player I like is Matuidi. It seems like he never stops running, he’s all over you.

“He wins back possession and makes tackles incredibly well. Robert De Niro, I think. Looking at how I talk and gesticulate, as well as my physical movements and facial expressions.

“Soundtrack to my life? I think Ligabue’s song, ‘Una vita da mediano’ [Life as a midfielder]. When I hear that song, it sums up all the work I did for so many years.”