Former Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has shared a touching anecdote about Lionel Messi, revealing how the Argentine legend made him feel proud.
The incident occurred during the 2015 Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona at the Olympiastadion Berlin.
Barcelona took an early lead through Ivan Rakitic, but Alvaro Morata equalized for Juventus in the 55th minute.
Luis Suarez restored Barcelona’s lead in the 68th minute, and Neymar sealed the win with a goal in injury time.
After the match, Messi approached Buffon and asked for his shirt.
This gesture left Buffon, then 37 years old, feeling extremely proud.
In an interview with TuttoJuve, Buffon reminisced about his happiest moments with Juventus.
“Leo made me proud when he asked me for my shirt in the Berlin final,” Buffon said.
“I thought to myself, ‘How beautiful!’ It was one of the few moments in my life when I felt truly proud.”
Buffon and Messi exchanged shirts, creating a lasting memory for the Italian goalkeeper.
“At the end of the match, we had other concerns, not knowing that a few years later, we would meet again in the final,” Buffon added.
That final would ultimately be Messi’s last Champions League final appearance.