With a remarkable 29-year career spanning over 900 matches, 10 Serie A titles with Juventus, and a World Cup victory with Italy, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/gianluigi-buffon">Gianluigi Buffon</a> is a soccer icon. Recently, he shared the name of the player who gave him the most trouble on the pitch, and the choice was surprising: it wasn’t Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.



In an interview with the Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, Buffon named <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/neymar">Neymar Jr.</a> as the most challenging player he has ever faced, even going so far as to say the Brazilian should have won multiple Ballon d’Or awards.



“It’s hard to choose just one opponent. I played against three generations: Zidane, Ronaldo [Nazário], Messi, Cristiano, Iniesta… Choose one? Neymar. For the player and the person he is, he should have won five Ballon d’Ors,” Buffon explained.



While he singled out Neymar as his toughest rival, Buffon also acknowledged the dominance of teams led by Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suárez at Barcelona, as well as <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>’s Real Madrid. “The Barcelona of 2015 and Real Madrid of 2017 were the strongest teams of the last 20 years,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241119_BUS_275751_neymar-jr-4-1024x576_bdfb933d.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-275857" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/neymar-jr-4.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Neymar scores for Barcelona against Juventus at the 2015 UEFA Champions League final. IMAGO</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Neymar’s Ballon d’Or journey</h2>



Despite being considered one of the most talented players of his generation, Neymar has yet to claim the Ballon d’Or. His closest attempts came in 2015 and 2017, finishing third behind Messi and Ronaldo. Those seasons were defined by Champions League triumphs for Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively, with Neymar playing a starring role in 2015.


 

 

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<h2>Buffon on Messi and Ronaldo</h2>



Although he didn’t choose <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Messi</a> or Ronaldo as the toughest opponents, Buffon had high praise for both legends. “In the 2015 Champions League final, I felt a hand on my back—it was Messi. He whispered in my ear, ‘Gigi, shall we swap shirts?’ The great ones are never arrogant,” Buffon recalled of the Argentine superstar.



As for Ronaldo, Buffon had the unique opportunity to play alongside him during their time at Juventus. “With Cristiano, we always had a great relationship. I saw in him a mix of incredible strength and fragility tied to the absence of his father and the tough journey he faced,” the Italian said.



<h2>Buffon’s legendary career</h2>



From 1995 to 2023, Buffon built an illustrious career, appearing in 975 professional matches and conceding 825 goals—an extraordinary record for a goalkeeper. The Italian collected 28 trophies, highlighted by the 2006 World Cup. However, the one title that eluded him was the coveted Champions League.

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With a 29-year career, over 1,000 official matches, and a trophy cabinet that includes 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and a World Cup win with Italy, Gianluigi Buffon is undoubtedly one of soccer’s greatest players. 



After retiring at age 45 with Parma, the club where he first made his mark, Buffon took a moment to reflect on the toughest challenges he faced throughout his nearly three-decade-long career.



In a 2018 interview, Buffon highlighted who were the three most difficult forwards he has ever faced, and without hesitation the Italian said: <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi">Lionel Messi</a>, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ronaldo Nazário.



“I’ve played against many great players,” Buffon said, before singling out these icons. “I can’t remember them all, but Messi, Cristiano, and Ronaldo are the three best who tested me throughout my career,” said the legendary Italian goalkeeper.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="591" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240928_BUS_241780_GettyImages-473182342-1024x591_124fce0a.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=591" alt="" class="wp-image-241786" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-473182342-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-473182342-300x173.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-473182342-768x443.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-473182342-1536x887.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GettyImages-473182342-2048x1183.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid scores the opening goal from the penalty spot past Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final. Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance against Buffon</h2>



<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo’s</a> record against Buffon is well-documented. In eight matches, Ronaldo scored nine goals against Buffon, including a brace in the 2016/17 Champions League final and a stunning bicycle kick in the following season. Despite those moments, Buffon still saw Messi as the more complete player.


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Messi didn’t find the net against Buffon until 2017, but that didn’t stop the Italian legend from praising the Argentine: “They’re two completely different players,” Buffon explained. “Messi is more complete, with better technical quality and the vision of a playmaker more than a traditional forward.”



Buffon went on to note how Ronaldo’s game has evolved with age. “Cristiano, maybe because he’s a bit older, has become a true goal scorer,” Buffon added. “Compared to before, Ronaldo conserves more energy now. He doesn’t drift wide to take on defenders as much, but if you give him the ball in the box, he’ll find the back of the net.”



Buffon’s admiration for these three forwards reflects the extraordinary challenges they posed, even to one of the best goalkeepers to ever play the game.

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Gianluigi Buffon reveals the three best forwards he has ever played against in his soccer career - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/juventus-gianluigi-buffon-on-cristiano-ronaldo-and-the-clubs-fall-from-grace-20211224-0008.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gianluigi Buffon</a> is in the twilight of his career, having played over 900 matches representing only three clubs and his national team. Currently <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/its-not-messi-gianluigi-buffon-says-argentine-star-in-serie-a-would-be-like-maradona-20220620-0017.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buffon</a> is back with his first love, Parma, the team he began his legendary career with.
It was at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/Juventus-Adrien-Rabiot-has-interest-from-three-Premier-League-sides-20230307-0011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juventus</a> where Gianluigi Buffon truly cemented his legacy, winning 21 titles and capturing the 2006 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/FIFA-set-to-announce-new-World-Cup-format-20230314-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FIFA World Cup</a> for Italy. Now at Parma the 45-year-old shared a story on Twitch about the time he lost $11 million playing for PSG.
Speaking with former Italy teammate Christian Vieri, Buffon revealed that he lost that sum of money when he left PSG due to issues of playing time.
<h2>Why did Gianluigi Buffon give up $11 million?</h2>
“Leaving was the biggest mistake of my life, I gave up €10 million ($11m).
“They told me that [Alphonse] Areola would play in the Champions League and I didn’t accept it. For me, the one who deserves it plays. That’s why I returned to Juve.

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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230322_BUS_217141_gianluigi_buffon_psg_crop1679499073419.jpg_22069893_dfaa9bb0.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption> Gianluigi Buffon PSG (Getty Images) </figcaption></figure>
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“Then I regretted it, because Areola was injured, and they signed Keylor Navas in his place!
“[Paris] was the most beautiful experience of my life. I felt like a free man. I quickly learned French, talked to people on the street, and visited museums… I had the feeling of playing in a great team.”

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How former Juve star Gianluigi Buffon lost $11 million: 'The biggest mistake of my life'

How former Juve star Gianluigi Buffon lost $11 million: 'The biggest mistake of my life' - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/juventus-t12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juventus</a> had high expectations with the arrival of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/cristiano-ronaldo-t2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> to the club in 2018, and while the Portuguese star did have great individual seasons, 81 goals in 98 games, the team never really got back on track in Europe. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/offside/georgina-rodriguezs-story-how-cristianos-girlfriend-went-from-shop-assistant-to-netflix-reality-star-20211222-0032.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ronaldo</a> won 5 titles in Italy, all domestic, including 2 Serie A crowns.
Now former teammate and Juventus legend <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/could-gianluigi-buffon-end-his-career-on-the-mls-20211221-0034.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gianluigi Buffon</a> shed some light on what the Italian Old Lady was missing during CR7 time at the club. In speaking with TUDN, Buffon stated, “<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/juventus-with-one-less-problem-to-worry-about-as-luis-suarez-citizenship-case-is-dropped-20211214-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juventus</a> had the chance to win the Champions League the first year (Ronaldo) arrived, which was the year I was at Paris Saint-Germain, and I couldn’t figure out what happened,”
Buffon admitted when he returned to the club after being at PSG the culture at the locker room had changed and this hampered the team in their greater goals. Here is what <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/gianluigi-buffon-t11552" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buffon</a> had to say about playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
<h2>Gianluigi Buffon on Cristiano Ronaldo during their time at Juventus</h2>
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<figure class="image"> <figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20211224_BUS_181226_cr9_crop1640353626568.jpg_22069893_166e0414.webp&amp;width=740&amp;height=412" width="740" height="412"></figure><figcaption> Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images) </figcaption></figure>
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Gianluigi Buffon went on stating, “When I returned, I worked with Ronaldo for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team. We reached the Champions League final in 2017 because we were a side full of experience, but above all we were a single unit and there was this competition for places within the group that was very strong. We lost that with Ronaldo.”
Various teammates have stated that during Ronaldo’s time at Juventus many of the players had lost the desire to work hard alongside the mega star. Giorgio Chiellini, told DAZN, that the team and player needed new goals after the 3 seasons were up. Many players felt that it was a one man show rather than a team effort.
 
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Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon on Cristiano Ronaldo and the club’s fall from grace

Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon on Cristiano Ronaldo and the club’s fall from grace - Bolavip US

Gianluigi Buffon has had a rollercoaster career: excellent experiences and good memories, but also sour times with blood and tears included. It could be said that with 43 years old, there are very few things he still has to try on soccer. Maybe conquering another continent and league as<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/mls-t16956" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MLS</a> or <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/liga-mx-t57" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liga MX</a>?
For sure,Gigiwould be remembered as one of the greatestgoalkeepers of all time. Lev Yashin, Gordon Banks, Peter Schmeichel, Jorge Campos, Iker Casillas: the Italian can stare right into the eyes of all these <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">soccer</a> legends.
Buffon has won a FIFA World Cup in 2006 and basically every single local tournament with Juventus. He has tried the bitter taste of being a runner-up of the two European soccer top tournaments: the Eurocup and the UEFA Champions League. Also, he has played twice in Italian second division, even when he already was a star (right now he helps Parma, the club in which he was born, to come back to Serie A). What experience could represent a brand new challenge for his career?
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<h2>Could it be possible to have Gianluigi Buffon on the MLS?</h2>
On an interview with Barcelona‘s and Bulgaria‘s superstar Hristo Stoichkov,Gigiadmited that the experience of crossing the ocean to be part of the MLS, or even the Liga MX, is something he would consider to spend thelast days of his career.
“(Playing in the United States or Mexico) All of themare experiences that I would be pleased to have for the last days of my career“, Gigisaid. What he does not have still clear is if this adventure could be inside or outside the field, as a manager or as a directing.
However, Buffon has something clear: he is on mission right now, a special one. He does not want to leave Italy until his beloved Parma returns to Italian First Division (Serie A). After that, it could be possible to enjoy the mightyAzzurrogoalkeeper on the American continent.

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gianluigi buffon

Gianluigi Buffon reveals the best player he's ever faced, excluding Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Gianluigi Buffon reveals the three best forwards he has ever played against in his soccer career

How former Juve star Gianluigi Buffon lost $11 million: 'The biggest mistake of my life'

Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon on Cristiano Ronaldo and the club’s fall from grace

Could Gianluigi Buffon end his career on the MLS?