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Gigi Buffon Names His Four Toughest Opponents

Gigi Buffon Names His Four Toughest Opponents

Who has caused the Italian stopper the most trouble in his career?

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

THIS STORY WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 17TH OCTOBER, 2017

Gianluigi Buffon has been one of- if not- the best goalkeepers of the past two decades and has the privilege of coming up against the best strikers. So when he names the toughest opponents he's had it's worth listening.

The word legend is bandied about so much these days that it's sometimes difficult to distinguish between your mate who did something mildly amusing with a shopping trolley in Tesco car-park and a goalkeeper who's been at the top of football for 23 years.

No goalkeeper has quite captured the love of the neutral football fan as Gianluigi Buffon. It makes sense that fans of Juventus and Italy love 'Gigi' but such has been his brilliance that he has a place in all our hearts.

Having played in Serie A's golden period at the end of the 90s and early 00s, in Juventus' impressive recent run at home and in the Champions League and won the World Cup with Italy the 39 year-old has played against the best in the business.

But who exactly is the best? Speaking to Copa 90 named the four men who were his toughest opponents saying that Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane would 'get in any team':



"I really hate strikers. I'd say the best I've played against are Ronaldo, the Brazilian one, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. These are the three who... and Zidane. Let's add Zidane. These are the four who would start in any team."

It pretty much sums up who the best forwards in the last 23 years have been with Ronaldo often considered one of the best 'out and out' strikers of all time and would have proved it if it wasn't for his injuries.

Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zidane are also considered the best players of their eras and even all time.

Ronaldo vs Buffon. Image: PA

Buffon has been one of the best keepers throughout his career but also had the pleasure of playing behind some of the world's best defences and named Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini as the best defenders he's played with.

When Buffon retires at the end of the season they'll need to be a new measuring stick but not many players will be better than the one's the legendary keeper named.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus, Italy