Sport
“Messi Made Me Proud When He Asked for My Shirt” – Buffon on 2015 UCL Final
Gianluigi Buffon has shared a special moment from the 2015 Champions League final that made him feel truly proud.
The match, held at Olympiastadion in Berlin, saw Juventus face off against Barcelona. Ivan Rakitic put Barça ahead early in the fourth minute, but Alvaro Morata brought Juve back into the game with a goal in the 55th minute.
However, Barcelona quickly regained control when Luis Suarez capitalized on a rebound from a Lionel Messi strike that Buffon had parried in the 68th minute. Neymar sealed the 3-1 victory in injury time, securing the trophy for the Spanish giants.
Despite the loss, Buffon experienced an unforgettable moment after the match. Messi approached him and asked for his shirt, a request that left the legendary goalkeeper feeling honored.
“Leo made me proud when he asked for my shirt after the final in Berlin. I was 37 years old, and in that moment, I thought, ‘Mamma mia, how beautiful this is!’” Buffon recalled in an interview with TuttoJuve.
“It was one of those rare times in my life when I saw myself differently, not feeling uncomfortable but rather appreciating the moment. We exchanged shirts, and it meant a lot to me.”
For Messi, that night marked his last appearance in a Champions League final, while for Buffon, it was a memory that remained just as significant as any trophy he had won.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has tipped Arsenal to win the English Premier League next season, believing it’s finally their time to end the title drought since 2004. Arsenal have been knocking on the door for a while, finishing second for three straight seasons under Mikel Arteta. Their point totals have been impressive — 84, 89, and most recently 74 points in the 2024-25 campaign.
Speaking on The Overlap, Neville shared his prediction for the 2025-26 season, saying, “I have to back Arsenal again. I’ve been saying it the last couple of seasons, and they’ve finished second three years running. I’m sticking with them.” Last season, the Gunners ended the campaign 10 points behind champions Liverpool but Neville clearly believes their breakthrough is near.
Russia defender Danil Krugovoy has made it clear that his team isn’t intimidated by the upcoming clash with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The friendly match is set to take place this Friday at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, where Russia will host the three-time African champions.
Nigeria heads into the game with strong momentum, having gone unbeaten in their last four matches and recently winning the Unity Cup in London. Despite the Super Eagles’ solid form, Krugovoy remains confident.
“There’s no pressure—we’re playing at home,” he said in a chat with Match TV. “I’m hoping for a full stadium. Nigeria is a strong side, but we must beat them on our own turf.”
Barcelona star Gavi has shared his top picks for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, backing two familiar faces—his teammates Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele. In his view, Dembele deserves a spot in the top three after a brilliant season with PSG, where he played a key role in their Champions League triumph, including a dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final.
But for Gavi, the real standout is 17-year-old Yamal. He believes the young winger should take home the award, calling him a one-of-a-kind talent. “Dembele’s season has been incredible, no doubt he belongs in the top three. But what Lamine has done is on another level,” Gavi said during an interview with Catalunya Radio.
Yamal wrapped up the season with 18 goals and 25 assists in 55 matches, playing a massive role in helping Barcelona secure a domestic treble—LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
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