Gianluigi Buffon Snubs Ronaldo, Zidane, Names Best Player He’s Played With
- Gianluigi Buffon has named Brazil superstar Neymar as the best player he's shared a pitch with
- The Al-Hilal winger remains the most expensive footballer ever after his move from Barcelona to Paris Sain-Germain in 2017
- The legendary Italian goalkeeper has played with Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane and also faced Lionel Messi
Gianluigi Buffon has shared the pitch with some of football's greatest names at the club and international levels.
The legendary goalkeeper suited up for Juventus for most of his career and won many trophies, including the 2006 World Cup. Buffon recently named Neymar as the best player he's played with, snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.
Buffon praises Neymar
Buffon played alongside Neymar during the 2018/19 season after his surprise departure from Juventus.
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At the club level, the World Cup winner shared the pitch with Zidane, Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Fabio Cannavaro, and Pavel Nedved, per Transfermarkt. He also faced Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo Nazario.
At Italy, he played with Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Francesco Totti, and Daniele De Rossi. However, he says Neymar is the best player he played with in his illustrious career.
"I've played against three generations: Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta… Choose one? Neymar," he said via BeIn Sports.
"For the player he is and the person he is, he should have won five Ballons d'Or."
The closest Neymar has come to winning the Ballon d'Or was in 2015 when he finished second behind his former teammate Messi.
What happened to Neymar?
Neymar became the most expensive footballer in the world when he left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
The French giants paid a world record fee of €222 million, but he failed to deliver the coveted Champions League trophy, per ESPN.
Last summer, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal paid €90 million to acquire him from PSG. However, an ACL injury kept him out for one year.
The 32-year-old has never reached the heights he showed at Barcelona. He was seen as the heir to the Ronaldo and Messi crown, but injuries have plagued his career.
Buffon comments on GOAT debate
In another report, Briefly News reported that legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made his pick in the GOAT debate.
The World Cup winner said both players are different, adding that Messi is complete while Ronaldo has the killer instinct.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke