Jaap Stam leaves out Paul Scholes as he names his best team mates XI

Jaap Stam
Stam is manager of Reading who play in the English Championship

RB: Cafu

Cafu
Brazilian Cafu

Former Brazil captain Cafu played with Stam when the pair represented the Serie A winning side of AC Milan in the 2003-04 season. Cafu is the highest capped player for Brazil, and won two World Cups for the Selecao in 1994 and 2002, while also being named as the South American Footballer of the Year in 1994.

Cafu, dangerous with his pace and energy, was even Pele named him in his 125 greatest footballers list.

CB: Alessandro Nesta

Allesandro Nesta
Alessandro Nesta bidding farewell to San Siro

The Italian who was part of the 2006 World Cup winning team was named as one of Stam’s preferred centre-back partner. Alessandro Nesta is a four-time Serie A Defender of the Year in the span of 20 years, and won three Serie A and two Champions League titles. He won a league title at Lazio, but is mostly recognized for his time at AC Milan. He also played for Chennaiyin FC in the 2014 edition of the Indian Super League.

CB: Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini
AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini in AC Milan training

One of the greatest defenders of his generation, there are no prizes for guessing Paolo Maldini in Stam’s list. Maldini was a crucial AC Milan first-team player and a faithful who played an incredible 25 seasons in the Serie A. He goes into the history books as one of club football's most loyal men and like his father, he also captained the club to Champions League glory.

LB: Denis Irwin

Denis Irwin
Denis Irwin, one of the best right-backs in the world

One of the unsung heroes to have helped Manchester United's rise to the top of English football, left-back Denis Irwin made over 500 appearances for the club and makes an appearance in Stam’s list also. He is the joint-most successful Irish footballer alongside Roy Keane, winning 19 trophies in his career.

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