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The former Juventus star believes his ex-teammate should have won five Ballon d'Ors
Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, has stirred up debate by naming Neymar as the best footballer he has played with, over icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Zinedine Zidane.
Buffon, who retired in 2023 after an illustrious career, expressed disappointment that Neymar has never won the prestigious Ballon d’Or, claiming the Brazilian forward deserved it multiple times.
Buffon names Neymar as the best he played with
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Buffon reflected on a career that spanned three decades and brought him up against football’s greatest talents.
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Despite sharing the pitch with legends like Messi, Ronaldo, and Andres Iniesta, Buffon ultimately selected Neymar, his former teammate at PSG, as the most talented player he has encountered.
When asked about the best players he has witnessed, Buffon reluctantly said, “I played with three generations of footballers. “How can I say it? Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, CR7, Iniesta...”
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When pressed for a definitive answer, the World Cup winner singled out Neymar, saying, “Neymar [was the best]. He should have won five Ballon d’Or for the player and the person he is.”
Buffon’s unusual pick
Buffon’s endorsement of Neymar as the greatest he has played with highlights the Brazilian’s immense talent but also raises questions about his unfulfilled potential.
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Neymar, now at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, has dazzled fans with his technical brilliance, flair, and creativity over the years but has often faced criticism for inconsistency and susceptibility to injuries.
Buffon’s view contrasts with the mainstream perception of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the definitive GOATs of modern football, and the Italian icon suggested that a lack of Ballon d’Or recognition doesn’t diminish his greatness.
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With a World Cup title, record Serie A appearances, and countless accolades to his name, Buffon’s opinion carries significant weight. Whether fans agree with his Neymar endorsement or not, the debate about football’s greatest will undoubtedly rage on.
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