AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic rates teammate Thiago Silva as the best defender in the world.

Ibra also spoke highly of fullback Ignazio Abate.

"When I see Thiago Silva I see me, but as a defender. There is no defender in the world more complete than him," said Ibra.

"Although I have had strong defenders as teammates, such as [Lilian] Thuram, [Gerard] Pique, [Fabio] Cannavaro and [Carles] Puyol, I think that Thiago is on another level.

"Abate has grown so much in my opinion. When I arrived I didn't know him. Now I know if he is not on the field. He is a great person and has become an important player for the team.

"He has to be given the chance to play for the national team. For a player this is the best thing that can happen, it is a great honour to play for your country. If he continues then he will become a starter for the Azzurri.

"Robinho has missed a few goals, but I have gone wrong, even [Alexandre] Pato and [Filippo] Inzaghi have also gone wrong. There are times when the ball doesn't go in, but the important thing is that the opportunity is created."