The last world class no nonsense defender. He learned from some of the best, and what I consider the last crop of talented defenders (nineties), in the world. His physique has been a problem at the later stage of his career, but he kept being relevant, cause he learned from the old school where brain and timing meant something.
Today, the game has become more mechanical and team based and the focus is, and has been for many years, on attack and offensive players.
But he still showed how great a defender he is. Like Pirlo, he did not have to rely on pace.