Giorgio Chiellini has showered Sergio Ramos with praise after he labelled him as the "best defender in the world."
Speaking to Marca ahead of Juventus' Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid, the 34-year-old Italian centre-back believes that the Real Madrid captain is a true leader for his team.
"I already said it before our tie last year. Now he even throws the penalties. He is the best defender in the world at this time and he is deservedly so," he explained (via a translation from Reddit).
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"He hardly makes mistakes and if he does one, it is because we are all wrong. He is a leader, both in the field and outside. He is one of those players who can influence both teams.
"Last season, [the] ninety-something minute it was 0-3 to our favor, but I think with Ramos it would not have happened.
"Not because [Raphaël] Varane, Nacho or [Jesús] Vallejo are not good, because they are, it is because he not only plays the game, but he makes others play.
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"It's the difference between a good player and a champion. Sergio is an outside class, a top, of course he fails, but he does so many things that good, that he is the best."
The Juventus captain was humble enough to say that he wasn't the best defender in the world, naming Diego Godín as one player he admired.
"No, not really. Atlético has one of them as is Godín. When he is not there, Atlético completely changes," he said.
"Already in the time of Villarreal followed him and looked a lot for efficiency. He is a defender who knows how to keep the line and I think he is the soul of this Atlético.
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"I know that its renovation is complicated. Two years ago, it was said that Chiellini was going to play for Chelsea or Manchester United, but I do not see it possible."
Ramos has recently been grabbing the headlines after he was sent off for the 25th time for Los Blancos in their 2-1 defeat to Girona on Sunday.
The 32-year-old Spanish defender was also at the centre of controversy against Ajax in the Champions League, earning himself a yellow card and a one-match suspension for his challenge on Kasper Dolberg.
Who is the best defender in the world?
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Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Los Blancos, Football News, Sergio Ramos, Diego Godin, Football, Serie A, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Champions League, Giorgio Chiellini, Real Madrid, La Liga