Andrea Pirlo's ultimate XI named as Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko lead the attack

Few men could reasonably claim to have graced the elite level of football with quite the same style and calm as Andrea Pirlo.

Champions League finals, World Cup finals, you name it: Pirlo has been cool in all of them.

His standing as one of the top midfielders of his generation has been widely accepted and admired since long before that delicately chipped panenka penalty over Joe Hart at Euro 2012.

By that point Pirlo had already been pulling the strings of top midfields across Italy for close to two decades, most notably with AC Milan and Juventus, and never with less than about two metres of space to operate in.

He's had no shortage of top class talent alongside him either, with little surprise that Milan dominate his lineup.

Andrea Pirlo was the true definition of a Rolls Royce player (EPA)

Here's Andrea Pirlo's star-studded ultimate XI.

Goalkeeper: Dida

Appearances with Pirlo: 252

Dida racked up marginally more appearances with Pirlo than Buffon (Reuters)

Held on to his place in the lineup ahead of Pirlo's former Italy and Juventus teammate Gianluigi Buffon. Top class keeper in his day.

Right-back: Cafu

Appearances with Pirlo: 147

Few have been as impressive on the right of defence as marauding Brazilian Cafu (AFP)

The best right-back of his generation. Possibly ever (despite what the picture suggests). Need we say more?

Centre-back: Alessandro Nesta

Appearances with Pirlo: 268

Nesta formed a huge part of Milan's defence for years (AFP)

Joined Milan the season after Pirlo and was a mainstay in the club's spine throughout their glory period in the 90s.

Centre-back: Kakhaber Kaladze

Appearances with Pirlo: 202

Kaladze was a solid performer when called upon for Milan (Reuters)

Gets the nod over the more household names at Juventus having played a fraction more games. Can be thankful for his useful versatility. Now a politician.

Left-back: Paolo Maldini

Appearances with Pirlo: 210

Paolo Maldini was Milan captain during much of Pirlo's time at the club (PA)

The Don of defending.

Midfield: Gennaro Gattuso

Appearances with Pirlo: 340

Gattuso played more games with Pirlo than any other player (AFP/Getty Images)

With beauty often comes brutality. And in Milan's case with Pirlo often came Gattuso. The rough and ready Italian often did the dirty work so Pirlo didn't have to. They played more times together than with anyone else in their respective careers.

Midfield: Clarence Seedorf

Appearances with Pirlo: 309

Seedorf's trophy cabinet speaks volumes on his quality (PA)

Won four Champions League titles with three different clubs - two of which were for AC Milan. Also scored a hat-trick in Soccer Aid post-retirement. Which was harder?

Midfield: Massimo Ambrosini

Appearances with Pirlo: 250

Inzaghi (L) Ambrosini (C) and Pirlo (R) with the Champions League trophy 2003 (Reuters)

One of the lesser revered of Mlan's great side from that era, but certainly no less crucial. Ambrosini skippered the side in Pirlo's final seasons at the San Siro.

Attack: Kaka

Appearances with Pirlo: 226

A Celtic defender getting as close to Kaka as defenders did in those days (Daily Record)

The best player in the world once upon a time. Could dance through defences, and last seen doing so in Hackney.

Attack: Filippo Inzaghi

Appearances with Pirlo: 235

'Pippo' Inzaghi's goals in the '07 Champions League final cemented his hero status (Getty Images Sport)

Hero of the lesser known Champions League final between Milan and Liverpool, and the player to combine most with Pirlo in terms of goal contributions.

Attack: Andriy Shevchenko

Appearances with Pirlo: 168

Andriy Shevchenko banged in goals for fun ahead of Pirlo in Milan's attack (Reuters)

A terrific marksman during his time at Milan, and another winner of the Ballon d'Or (2004). Though Pirlo will perhaps still be asking him what happened in Istanbul in '05?

Pirlo's ultimate XI (4-3-3): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Seedorf, Ambrosini; Kaka, Inzaghi, Shevchenko

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