Dutch legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will go down as one of the smartest, deadliest and most prolific centre-forwards Europe has ever seen.

He is the fourth-highest scorer in Champions League history on 56 goals in addition to winning the Golden Boot for most goals scored in three different European leagues.

Van Nistelrooy won titles like the Eredivisie, La Liga and the Premier League during his 19-year career, and retired in 2012 with an outstanding club record of 347 goals in 589 games.

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The clinical ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid man certainly knew where the back of the net was, and he's now revealed the striker who he feels is his heir in modern football.

The new van Nistelrooy?

The 40-year-old was asked by UEFA's official website to name the player who resembles his playing style the most in the current game, and it came as no surprise that his answer was someone who has developed into a top-class marksman over the years.

Van Nistelrooy said: "An out-and-out number nine would be Edinson Cavani. He's a very strong player with great movement in and out of the box."

The Dutchman, now a youth coach at PSV Eindhoven, added: "He also helps the team with his hold-up play and is a great number nine."

Cavani's time to shine

After becoming one of Europe's most lethal strikers at Napoli, where he scored 104 goals in 138 games, Cavani moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.

The Uruguayan always produced for the French champions when deployed through the middle, however this is the first season he's been there without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and he has more than stepped up to the plate.

Often criticised for his finishing, Cavani boasts stunning figures of 27 goals in 28 Ligue 1 games, and 38 goals in 39 matches in all competitions so far this term for Unai Emery's side.

As Van Nistelrooy mentioned, the 30-year-old's movement is outstanding and he's also effective at linking midfield to attack, currently averaging an 82% pass accuracy in Ligue 1.

Van Nistelrooy also named AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini as the best he ever played against, Diego Maradona's solo effort against England at the 1986 World Cup as the best goal he's ever seen, and the 4-2-3-1 Man Utd system as the team which suited him the best.

How good has Cavani been for Paris this season? Do YOU think he is world-class? Leave YOUR opinion in the comments box below!