Buffon on Messi & Ronaldo insights from his new book

Former Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon attended the Officine Grandi Riparazioni in Turin to present his book: “Falling, Getting Up, Falling, Getting Up.“ Here are his words from the stage of the event, as reported by Ilbianconero.

“Unlike other books, this is not a chronicle. Every event changes your existence, your life, and your happiness. There are many anecdotes that few people know because I have always preferred not to talk too much. This is also the reason behind certain choices something did not fit well.”

“When I was 23 years old, I had the maturity to understand that I could not choose. I asked my father and my agent to take care of everything. Then, I received a fax and saw my first Tuttosport clipping that said, ‘We have the number 1.’”

“I must say that I don’t like calling myself the best goalkeeper in football history. That would be too arrogant, and I have great respect for all my colleagues. Alongside three or four others, we have done something extraordinary. I have never liked debates about who is the greatest.

Undefeated streak record? I played for a great team and had great defenders, like Chiellini, for example (applause). Before an opponent reached me, Barzagli and Bonucci had already exhausted them.

I remember that against Sassuolo, we risked conceding a goal a couple of times, but we were so focused on the match and victory that we didn’t realize the record.”

“He made me proud in the Berlin final when I was 37 years old. When he asked for my jersey, I thought to myself, ‘My goodness, how incredible!’ It was one of those moments when I saw myself differently.

We exchanged jerseys. However, at the end of the match, we had other concerns, not knowing that a few years later, we would have another chance in a final.”

“After Berlin, I returned home at 5 a.m. You are dazed by the defeat, like after a night of drinking. I stayed in the living room while my partner changed, and we did not say a word. We hugged and cried for five minutes before going to bed. Sharing the same feelings and emotions means a lot.”

“I was often Juventus’ captain, which was a privilege. But without Chiellini, Marchisio, and others, I would have been useless (laughs). Thanks to them, their support, and the club, I became someone.”

“There are moments when you search for a flaw in yourself, even when you’re doing well. People used to say I wasn’t good at saving penalties. The truth is, I ended my career with a 32% penalty save rate about 1 in 3, which is an excellent record.

At the World Cup, I didn’t save any of the four penalties I faced. However, in the Champions League and Super Cup, I saved some, but we still lost.

Fate gave me the greatest joy winning the World Cup but also made me suffer in other matches. Trezeguet? After showering and celebrating, I felt sorry for him and imagined myself in his place.”

“Cristiano is a person who, for those who have lived with him, reveals a different side when you get close to him especially off camera. He is a guy with great sensitivity. He makes you understand the tough journey he had as a young man.

Then, he wears the armor of a superman to defend himself from everything he has faced and to ensure others are drawn to his image. There is a split personality: there is CR7, and then there is Cristiano.

I really appreciated his qualities as a man. As a player, his ruthlessness and killer instinct are unlike anything I have ever seen.

But if Ronaldo plays into his later years, I might return to the pitch too! (laughs).”