Antoine Griezmann Predicts Gianluigi Buffon Will Win The Next Ballon d'Or

This season has been a remarkable one for Gianluigi Buffon.

As well as marking his 1000th career appearance with a clean sheet back in March, the Italian shot stopper's heroics in the Juventus goal have been nothing short of brilliant.

For all his appearances, trophies and awards, the 39-year-old has never won the Champions League, but he could finally lift the famous trophy on the 3rd of June.

Juventus face Real Madrid at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann believes if the Old Lady win it, then Buffon will go on to win the Ballon d'Or trophy.

Gianluigi Buffon

Griezmann insists that Buffon would beat the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the to the coveted award, and in an interview with Cadena Ser's El Larguero. he predicted the outcome:

"Juventus will win the Champions League and therefore Gigi Buffon the Ballon d'Or,"

Buffon

The France international, who was been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks, then discussed the feeling of being knocked out in the semi-finals and final of the Champions League:

"Finals hurt more than semis. Because you think you're going to raise the trophy, you make moves with your people ... Then you lose and it's very hard,"

Griezmann

Should Buffon pick up the Ballon d'Or award if Juventus are to win the Champions League final.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_