New Delhi: Gianluca Zambrotta was an extraordinary defender, who played with distinction for several top European clubs and the Italian national team. A winner of the 2006 World Cup, Zambrotta was considered a true successor of Paulo Maldini till he stopped playing international football in 2010.

Having turned a professional coach, the Italian is currently in the capital as the manager of Delhi Dynamos in the Indian Super League (ISL). Though his coaching credentials are still limited, Zambrotta said he chose the ISL assignment after careful considerations.

“I made enquiries about ISL before coming here,” the legendary defender told The Telegraph during an interaction. “I spoke to Alessandro del Piero and Marco Materazzi and asked them about their experience. They both said it was a good league with a bright future. Then only I took up the job and would like to leave my mark before I go,” said Zambrotta, the seventh highest capped footballer in the Italian national team.

Zambrotta felt it was too early to predict the trend of the league but said Dynamos held a good chance of ending up as one of the front-ranking teams. “I don’t want to name the players, but I have a kind of blend of foreign and Indian footballers, who will spring a surprise in the league soon,” he said.

As a defender, Zambrotta had played for champion sides like Juventus, AC Milan and Barcelona. He had countered the finest attackers on the field but still felt Lionel Messi was cut above all other players in the world.

“Messi is different… He is too good, I have watched him from close,” said the 39-year-old with a smile. “He has largely contributed in turning Barcelona into a different side. When Xavi and Iniesta were on two sides, Messi became unstoppable,” he added.

When reminded the fans in India still recall the way he bottled up Cristiano Ronaldo while playing for Barcelona against Manchester United, Zambrotta just smiled and said: “Yes, it was a good match… A lot of people still tell me about it.”

Zambrotta was a modern-day defender, who excelled both in defensive and attacking qualities. Asked, the defender said all footballers can pick up his style of play if they stick to the basics.

“You have to strong, fit and alert.”