They may be opponents at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 3rd June when Juventus and Real Madrid meet in this season's Champions League final, but there is a great friendship between Gianluigi Buffon and Alvaro Morata, with the Spanish striker recently revealing a priceless piece of advice the Italy and Juve captain offered him during their time together in Turin.
The Los Blancos striker returned to the Bernabeu last Summer after spending two successful years with the Bianconeri, winning two successive domestic doubles and reaching the 2015 Champions League final in which he scored Juve's only goal in a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona.
During the pair's time together in Italy, Buffon and Morata grew close, with the Italy captain telling Real Madrid TV recently, "Alvaro had negative thoughts in his last period at Juve.
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"We talked a bit about it because I was sorry for him. He was a guy I loved a lot and wanted to help him, to give him security.
"He deserved the help of a companion and I have great affection for him.
"His move to Real for me it was a disappointment because we lost a great talent of an age that would allow him to mature and finally to devote himself."
Buffon and Morata enjoyed two trophy laden seasons together in Turin. Image: PA
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The respect, according to Morata, is reciprocal, with the Real striker relaying a story to The Guardian about a training session where he broke down in tears after a particularly poor performance.
With his confidence shot, Morata received some help from his captain and the 39-year-old's words have stuck with him ever since.
"I was there on the treatment table and Gigi Buffon was next to me.
"Afterwards he took me aside, alone, and said that if I wanted to cry, do it at home.
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"He said the people who wished me ill would be happy to see that and the people who wished me well would be saddened by it."
Buffon or Morata - Who will be celebrating at full time at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 3rd June? Images: PA
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The words had the desired effect for Morata, who has scored 20 goals in 40 games for Real this season and could add a La Liga title and Champions League to his ever growing silverware collection, over the next few weeks.
Or, 3rd June could be third time lucky for Buffon and the World Cup winning goalkeeper could finally claim his first Champions League winner's medal.
(H/T The Mirror)
Topics: Football, Alvaro Morata, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus, Real Madrid