Leo made me proud — Italy legend Buffon recalls happy moment with GOAT Messi

Leo made me proud — Italy legend Buffon recalls happy moment with GOAT Messi

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 06:10 - 23.03.2025

Former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has recalled an emotional encounter with Argentine legend Lionel Messi.

Gianluigi Buffon has shared a heartwarming story about Lionel Messi that left him feeling proud and fulfilled.

The story dates back to the 2015 Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona at the Olympiastadion Berlin.

In an interview with TuttoJuve, Buffon reminisced about his time with Juventus and shared some of his fondest memories.

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One particular moment stood out – when Messi asked him for his shirt after the game.

"Leo made me proud when he asked me for the shirt in the Berlin final, and I was 37 years old," Buffon recalled.

"When he asked me for the shirt, I said to myself, 'Mamma mia, how beautiful you are!'"

Lionel Messi during his prime years at Barcelona.
Lionel Messi during his prime years at Barcelona. (Photo Credit: Imago)

"It was one of the few moments in my life when I felt not uncomfortable but I looked at myself with different eyes," Buffon admitted.

The two football legends exchanged shirts, a gesture that symbolized mutual respect.

That final, ironically, would be Messi's last appearance in a Champions League final, while Buffon got another chance in 2017, ultimately losing to Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid.