Gianluigi Buffon, who made 685 appearances in the Old Lady’s net, won over the Juventus supporters and is unquestionably one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever played. He is also highly regarded among Parma and Paris Saint-Germain supporters.
Although many believe that Buffon, an Italy international with 176 caps, progressed through Turin’s academy, he actually started his remarkable career with Parma from 1994 to 2001 before joining the Allianz Stadium-based team at the start of the decade.
During his 19-year career at the top, Buffon faced some of the most deadly line-leaders in football history, including Serie A cult icons Antonio Di Natale and Francesco Totti. He put up his gloves in August 2023.
The Toughest Opponents Ever Named by Buffon
“I can’t recall every great player I’ve faced.”
However, who were the glove bearer’s most formidable opponents? He had the task of identifying the most difficult opponents he had the misfortune of facing in his 975-game career before he took the goal for Juventus for the last time, leading his team to a decisive 4-0 victory over AC Milan.
The seasoned Italian mentioned Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have been ranked as the two greatest football players in the past 15 years or so, when asked about his most formidable opponent. Buffon, who was born in Carrara, also named the powerful Ronaldo Nazario. He stated:
“I can’t recall every great player I’ve faced. However, the top three players who pushed me during my career were most likely Messi, Cristiano, and Ronaldo.
Ronaldo Cristiano
Notable teams include Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, and Al-Nassr.
No one could have predicted how much of a football phenomenon Ronaldo would become in 2003, when Sir Alex Ferguson first recognised him. His direct opponent that day was John O’Shea, but several defenders have attempted—and failed—to contain him.
Although opponents may have found the Portuguese’s combination of tricks and flicks intimidating, the Old Trafford supporters adored it. His best years were spent in Spain, although he won his first of five Ballon d’Ors in 2008.
Real Madrid won the contract he signed in 2009, and Ronaldo spent nine years there, hitting a tonne of goals while serving as Los Blancos’ poster boy. He was actually the team’s top scorer when he left in 2018.
He is currently in his twilight years in Saudi Arabia, where he leads the line for Al-Nassr alongside Jhon Duran after transitioning into a center-forward in the latter stages of his career. He wants to reach 1,000 goals before he retires, and he is currently 40 years old.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Statistics for the Club
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
Real Madrid
438
450
131
54/6
United Manchester
346
145
64
60/4
Juventus
134
101
22
13/1
Al-Nassr
90
82
19.
11/1
Playing CP
31
5.
6.
1/0
Lionel Messi
Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami are notable clubs.
Messi is unquestionably one of the best football players of all time, as shown by his goal total and string of electrifying performances throughout the years. He is most remembered for playing at the top of his game at Barcelona.
The World Cup-winning Argentine’s seamless style is what makes him one of the best. He used to cause chaos in Europe, both at home and in the Champions League, but now he makes his living in beautiful Miami.
Lionel Messi rocking the new Inter Miami jersey. pic.twitter.com/kiYm6SgiOG
— 𝐕𝐀𝐑 (@Ziyechman) February 10, 2025
He is widely recognised as one of the greatest football players of all time, and his skill set—along with his gigantic trophy cabinet—matches his unparalleled talent. He is currently 37 and has won four Champions League championships in addition to a record-tying eight Ballon d’Ors.
Overall, the small forward’s all-around persona—from the abundance of trophies to the talent—has been surpassed by only few football players in history. Without a question, the seasoned Messi is a unique football player.
Statistics for the club of Lionel Messi
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
Barcelona
778
672
303
81/1
Saint-Germain, Paris
75
32
35
1/0
Miami Inter
39
34
18
3/0
Ronaldo Nazario
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and PSV Eindhoven are notable clubs.
Cristiano recorded the most goals against the glove carrier (10), having scored in every game he played against Buffon. However, Ronaldo Nazario, who bears his name, was just as formidable to the Italian due to his skill in the closing third.
Ronaldo had it all, from creating chances for his teammates to scoring goals. This was true for every team he played for, from Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga to AC Milan and Internazionale on both sides of the San Siro derby.
The Brazilian’s career was plagued by numerous injury issues, which is what makes it so damning. He starred in South Korea and Japan, and the tale of his stunning rebirth at the 2002 World Cup will live on for generations to come.
While at Parma, he was a constant threat to Buffon in Serie A. He also scored twice for Inter and defeated the Italian in the Champions League while leading Real Madrid’s squad. Few goalkeepers were able to silence Ronaldo, and Buffon, 47, was not one of them.
Ronaldo Nazario’s statistics for the club
Club
Games
Objectives
Helps
Red/Yellow Cards
Real Madrid
177
103
34
13/2
Milan Inter
99
59
10.
5/1
Corinthians
69
35
7.
8/0
PSV Eindhoven
57
54
7.
0/0
Barcelona
49
47
13.
5/0
Milan AC
20
9.
4.
1/0
