Do not tell him that he is the most important footballer in the history of Italian football because he is not interested in accolades he did not win on the pitch. Yet, Dino Zoff is one of the most iconic legends not only of Italian football but also of world football.
"No, I could never say that about myself. Let's say that I am the only one who has won a European Championship and a World Cup and, therefore, that I have done my bit. And that makes me very happy," he says.
He formed one of the strongest and most iconic backlines of all time at Juventus. In 1973, he even came close to winning the Ballon d'Or finishing second only behind a certain Johan Cruyff, who had beaten him in Belgrade in the final of the European Cup that year.
Zoff not only played for but also coached his nation, bringing them within seconds of the European title in 2000.
An undisputed Juventus legend, he also coached Inter manager Simone Inzaghi in his Lazio days.
On the eve of the Derby d'Italia, he discussed not only the big match but also the controversy surrounding VAR.
And to think that VAR was supposed to be the solution to all problems...
"I don't like it at all because there is an exaggerated use of it. It is very taxing and, therefore, penalties are whistled and red cards given for nothing. In objective evaluations, such as an offside or whether the ball has crossed the line or not, it is reliable, but for the rest, I would limit it to the blatant things such as actions that the referee doesn't see. They can't intervene on every little detail, it should be the referee on the pitch who asks for it."
Could on-call VAR be the solution?
"But who then calls it? The coach who sees nothing from the bench? I think it should be used less, because at the end of the day football is a game of contact and contact should not always result in a penalty or a card. Let's put the referee back in the centre, his assessment must be important."
And while everyone around is making noise, next comes the mother of all controversies, Juventus vs Inter.
'There is and always will be controversy. It was believed that VAR could put an end to it and, instead, the situation has even worsened."
What memories do you have of the Derby d'Italia? Is it still the most fascinating match in Italian football?
"It's still the two biggest teams. Inter won the championship last year and will fight until the end this season too, and Juventus are also on the rise. Yes, it is still the match par excellence."
In your time, Juve were almost always favourites. That hasn't been the case for some time now.
"Yes, it's true. But it's also true that I too have conceded a lot of goals at the San Siro (laughs)... For some years now, instead, it's Inter who start with the favourable odds. Having said that, matches must be won on the pitch."
You coached Simone Inzaghi at Lazio - did you ever imagine that he would be better on the bench than on the pitch?
'Well yes, because he was always a nice guy and very intelligent. One who was always trying to learn, in all aspects. He was a great professional as a player and as a coach, he is doing just as well."
Inter were patient with him, keeping him even after losing a Scudetto that everyone considered won.
'In football, patience is important because there are always periods when you can't get results. But it is precisely in those moments, you have to have the conviction that you can turn the tide. Patience, however, must also have a limit."
Are you referring to Thiago Motta?
"No, absolutely not. I am convinced, in fact, that he needs a little more time because his team is young, with many new players. So far he has done quite well in Europe, while in the league he has collected a few too many draws."
Juve are trying to restart at an institutional level, even more than at a sporting level. Are they on the right track?
"I think so. In the long run, tradition will be restored, but it seems to me that they are already on the right path."