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22nd Mar 2016

WATCH: Gerard Pique lists the three toughest forwards he has ever had to defend against

Wouldn't be a bad front three

Darragh Murphy

Gerard Pique has had to mark some absolute monsters in his day.

Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Karim Benzema are just three strikers who he’s been responsible for looking after during his time with Barcelona.

But none of those names make the Spanish defender’s list of toughest opponents.

Pique, 29, has developed into one of the top centre-halves in the world since signing for Barcelona in 2008 and, speaking on UnscriptedSport, he has revealed the most difficult forwards he’s ever faced.

“I think one of them was Drogba,” Pique said. “He was one of the best strikers I have seen because he had everything. Pace, he was really strong, he was good in the air, he knows how to dribble and use both legs. He was amazing.

“Another one is Cristiano Ronaldo, obviously because I’ve had to face him a lot of times, and he’s one of the best players in the history of this sport because he’s really complete. He knows how to score, he knows how to assist, he can shoot free kicks and penalty kicks. He can do everything.

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - Copa Del Rey - Semi Final Second Leg

“Obviously I’m not going to name Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez – the ones that I have to play against in every training session because you don’t get to see our battles.

“Lewandowski is another player who is tall. He can use both legs, he’s good in the air.

“It’s really tough when you have to mark these kinds of players who can do everything.”