Vieri: R10 > CR7; Cristiano can play up to 40 years with cigarette between lips

Christian 'Bobo' Vieri was a goal machine in every sense. As one of just six Italians in football history to win a golden boot at a foreign club, Vieri is well aware of what it takes to succeed as a top-level striker.

The 46-year-old led the line for a staggering 14 clubs during his 18-year career and notched the 1,000th goal to be scored for the Italian national side. Vieri also is the joint-top Italian goalscorer at World Cups.

In an interview, Sportsmail's Alvise Cagnazzo spoke with Vieri about his career, whether Romelu Lukaku can be the heir to his throne at Inter and who was the toughest English defender he came up against...

Q: How does it feel to have the record of goals scored at the World Cup for Italy (9) together with Roberto Baggio and Paolo Rossi?

A: The World Cup is a unique event. When you see a blue shirt in a bar or in a pub, you immediately think of Italy. Scoring for your nation was a wonderful experience. I had three idols: Roberto Mancini, Roberto Baggio and Gianluca Vialli. At 14 years old I went to see Baggio in the Fiesole Curve (the home of Fiorentina's Ultras), at 23 I had a World Cup next to Baggio. It was wonderful.

Q: Can Romelu Lukaku be your heir at Inter?

A: He is big, with plenty of strength and height as I had. He's got a very strong left foot and gets lots of height when he jumps for headers. I wish him well and he has already scored 17 goals in his first few months in Italy: a truly extraordinary result especially for a foreigner used to the Premier League.

Q: Can Antonio Conte get the best out of him?

A: Antonio is a well-trained coach and knows how to looks after his players. The impression I get from Conte is that he takes care of every detail, so I think he can really maximise Lukaku's potential.

In Serie A if you have an exceptional physique and you train very well you can destroy any opposing defense. I have been following Lukaku for 10 years and have always supported his strength. In England at United he had scored shortly before leaving, but when he is 100% physically Romelu is a bull.

Q: Is the Brazilian Ronaldo or the Portuguese Ronaldo better?

A: I am a friend of Ronnie and I was lucky enough to have him as a striker with me. He had it all. He was explosive, powerful and fast. He looked like a dancer, he seemed to dance with the ball.

I say that Brazilian Ronaldo is better than the Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7 is a war machine, he is admirable for everything he does and for all the things he continues to do. Cristiano can play up to 40 years with a cigarette between his lips, as they say in Italy. He has a sculptural physique.

Q: What was the best goal of your career?

A: There are two. One was in Spain, against PAOK. It was technically very difficult. I jumped the goalkeeper and almost from the corner flag, on the goalline on the left, I scored. The other was for Inter against Parma. Gianluigi Buffon was in goal. I stopped the ball, using my heel to move the ball and I struck with my left to put it home.

Q: Who were the most important coaches in your career?

A: At Juventus I say Marcelo Lippi, he was like a second father. In Turin's youth teams I was coached by the great Rampati, then by (Emiliano) Mondonico. I also have to say Cesare Maldini, he helped my break into the national team. He was a magnificent person who trusted young people.