"I played against three generations" - Gianluigi Buffon names one Lionel Messi's ex-Barcelona teammate who 'should have won 5 Ballon d'Ors
Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has named Lionel Messi's ex-Barcelona teammate Neymar as someone who should have won five Ballon d'Ors in an interview with Corriere della Serra, via the Daily Mail.
Neymar has enjoyed a stellar career in Europe during his stints with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian icon netted 223 goals and provided 153 assists in 359 games for the two clubs.
"It's hard to pick. I played against three generations: Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, Cristiano, Iniesta...Choose one? Neymar. For the player he is and the person he is, he should've won five Ballons d'Or," said Buffon in the interview.
"There's something masochistic about goalkeepers. The fields of my youth were the same as in the 1970s: the penalty area was as hard as concrete. You can recognize old goalkeepers by their scarred hands, aching sides, and the countless times they've fallen to the ground, bleeding," he added, speaking about goalkeeping.
"There's something a little crazy about me. Goalkeepers talk to themselves, to their gloves. And above all, I've got a good dose of insolence. Without it, I wouldn't have survived. Try making your Serie A debut at 17, with Parma leading the table, tied on points with AC Milan," he elaborated.
The comments made by Buffon on the Ballon d'Or will resonate well with many footballers across the world as Neymar is widely respected. However, the Brazilian forward has never won the prestigious award in his career.
He has, nonetheless, finished on the podium twice, in 2015 and 2017. His former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, meanwhile, holds the record for winning the most number of Ballon d'Ors - eight.
"At the end of 2003, after two straight Scudetti, I hit a low point" - Gianluigi Buffon
In the aforementioned interview, Buffon also spoke about going through depression in his career. He recounted an incident during the 2003-04 season when he felt that he hit a low point while playing for Juventus in a match against Reggina Calabria.
"At the end of 2003, after two straight Scudetti, I hit a low point. I felt an emptiness inside me, started sleeping badly, and had panic attacks. During a Juve-Reggina match, I had an anxiety attack on the field. I couldn't breathe and thought I couldn't play," said Buffon.
"Ivano Bordon, our goalkeeping coach, told me I didn't have to play. I looked at our backup, Chimenti – a great friend – and thought this was a pivotal moment. If I didn't go back out, I might never play again. I returned, made a decisive save, and we won 1-0. But the problem didn't go away. Dr. Agricola confirmed it: depression," he added.
The Italian, who played over 1,000 matches in his professional career, was an icon during his time. He hung his boots up while playing for Parma Calcio in 2023, for whom he had also made his Serie A debut in 1994.
During the span of his career, Buffon played the most for Juventus and also made 175 appearances for the Italy national team. He was noted for his impeccable handling and positional skills.