Former Italy and Juventus legend Fabio Cannavaro reveals the one player he feared playing against

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Regarded as one of the greatest defenders, Fabio Cannavaro faced a whole host of world class footballers throughout his career.

From Lionel Messi to Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry to Francesco Totti, Cannavaro, Cannavaro tested himself against the very best throughout his sparkling 19-year career.

But the 2006 Ballon d'Or winner admits their is just one footballer who he feared going up against, Ronaldo.

Fabio Cannavaro captained Italy to glory in the 2006 World Cup, beating France in the final

Writing on The Players Tribune Cannavaro said: 'More than anyone I faced before him, and anyone I faced after him, Ronaldo was always, always, the one player who stirred fear in me.

'He is the player of our generation. The phenomenon. The Ronaldo.'

The Italian defender, currently manager of Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian, admitted there was no stopping Ronaldo you could only wish to limit him.

Cannavaro tackles Ronaldo in a Champions League game between Juventus and Real Madrid

'Ronaldo was a player who you didn't necessarily defend, but instead you hoped to limit and contain as much as you could. 

'Because if Ronaldo wanted to score, he would score. Of course, Brazil also had Romário, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho. But, Ronaldo? He was just… different.

Cannavaro admitted that Ronaldo was the only player he was scared of going up against

'He was fast. He was strong. He was unbelievable. And every time I played him there was always respect. A player like him didn't need to trash talk, and there was no point in trying to get inside his head. He was already in yours before the whistle even blew.'

Cannavaro captained Italy to glory at the 2006 World Cup and won 136 caps for the Azzurri from 1992-2010. 

His opposition captain in the 2006 final was France's Zinedine Zidane and Cannavaro was just as glowing in his praise of the legendary midfielder. 

'If Ronaldo had toughness on the pitch, then what Zidane had was elegance. He was the gentleman of the pitch,' Cannavaro said.

Cannavaro attempts to tackle France midfielder Zinedine Zidane during a match at Euro 2000

'I'm certain his feet had to touch the ground at some point, but the way he moved, it was almost as if he was floating through air. 

'His turns and dodges weren't just athletic - they were more like ballet. There was this lightness to the way he'd weave between players.

'It was beautiful to watch him play and it brings me happiness that I got to play against him.'

Cannavaro defends Arsenal's Thierry Henry during the 2006 Champions League quarter-final