Maradona: Juventus would be lethal with Cavani

Diego Maradona feels Juventus would become a truly formidable force if they signed Edinson Cavani.

The Napoli hot-shot has been linked with a move to Turin as the Bianconeri's well-documented pursuit of a top-class goalscorer continues, and Maradona believes the Uruguay international with the Serie A champions would be a match made in heaven.

He told Tuttosport: "I cannot imagine what it would be like if Juve had, for example, Cavani as a centre-forward. How many points [would they win]?

"The team of [Antonio] Conte reminds me of Michel [Platini], my nemesis. Ultimately this is a very solid and compact team. They create at least five opportunities to score in every game and two, sometimes three, are taken."

Maradona went on to praise the trio of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio, adding that such an impressive midfield easily makes up for their shortcomings elsewhere in the side.

When asked what he feels Juventus' greatest asset is, he said: "The midfield, without a doubt. Pirlo, Vidal and Marchisio are world class. They do everything: defence, assists, goals. With players of this calibre Juventus are one of the few teams that do not need to jump the midfield because it is from there that everything is born.

"In defence, I do not see phenomena or champions. Apart from [Gianluigi] Buffon, but he is the keeper, not the defender. Anyway, I repeat, a midfield like that is more than enough."

Maradona was in Dubai for the Globe Soccer Awards, where he was handed the accolade for Best Player of the Century by Uefa president Michel Platini, with whom he was a fierce rival as a player.

The 52-year-old revealed he was delighted to receive the award, adding that it was "fantastic" to be handed the prize by the France legend.

"I'm excited. I did not expect this. And for Platini to reward me .... It's fantastic," he added.

"Michel is an example for all, he had a wonderful career in all the areas of football in which he was involved. And in a couple of years, he will rise to the last step: the throne of Fifa. Boys follow his example."