Buffon eyes elusive Champs League
Win can see him bag Ballon d’Or
Turin - Cardiff beckons for Gianluigi Buffon and an elusive Champions League winners’ medal is not the only prestigious prize within the reach of one of the great goalkeepers.
At 39, Buffon feared his chance to win club football’s biggest competition might have gone after featuring in losing Juve teams in the 2003 and 2015 finals. But the 2006 World Cup winner has never been one to let anything slip easily through his fingers.
His exemplary form this season has been a key reason for Juve’s irresistible advance on the Welsh capital on June 3.
And if Buffon and co. do return from Wales victorious, what price to crown a silverwaresprinkled career by becoming the first keeper since Lev Yashin in 1963 to win Ballon d’Or?
The notion that “Gigi” deserves nothing less is already being pushed noisily by the adoring Italian media.
But the well-travelled Claudio Ranieri, whose long career included a stint managing Buffon at Juventus, says the case for Buffon is founded on more than patriotic fervour.
“If they win the Champions League, I really think he would deserve it,” the former Leicester and Chelsea boss told SkyItalia. “It is a very particular role and it is not easy.
“They have only given it to a goalkeeper once, with Yashin. But if you ask, who is the best footballer in the world, then yes, the answer can be Buffon.”
Juve booked their second final slot in three seasons on Tuesday by beating Monaco 2-1. –