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Topics: AS Roma, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Argentina, Juventus, Serie A, Gonzalo Higuain
Matthew Holt
Topics: AS Roma, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Argentina, Juventus, Serie A, Gonzalo Higuain
Roma forward Paulo Dybala included a surprise addition when he was asked to name the three best players he has ever shared the pitch with.
Dybala, 30, cited both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as his top-two picks, given he played alongside the pair at Juventus and with Argentina respectively.
Having made 450 club appearances across his career, the former Palermo man's shock inclusion would not have been a name many could have expected.
“Messi, Ronaldo and [Gonzalo] Higuain are my three favourite team-mates in the world of football,” Dybala told Al Arabi Al Jadeed via Calciomercato.com.
“Ronaldo, he’s a champion. Playing with him at Juventus was wonderful.
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"I learned about the dedication to my profession from him and the desire to win, despite everything I had already achieved.
"I am not surprised that he is also doing well in Arabia.
“Although my dream since I was a child was to play with Messi... he is already a constant inspiration.
"To have shared the World Cup victory with him is something I will never forget,” added the Roma forward.
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A five-time Serie A champion, Dybala has enjoyed wholesale success ever since he left his home country for Italy back in 2012.
Breaking through with Palermo before a big-money move to Juventus soon followed, there is once coach in particular too who the Argentina forward singled out for special praise.
“Working with Mourinho was stimulating and represented a significant period of growth for me," he added.
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"A coach who has done a lot in his career, he certainly brings his experience and helps you grow as a footballer.
"Honestly, I don’t know what the future holds for him, but I’m sure he will continue at the top.
“We have a new coach now, Daniele De Rossi, who was an icon here as a player and is now fully committed to his new role.
"He is passing on his ideas and it is really inspiring to work with him.”