Buffon reveals the best player he ever faced, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi

When Gianluigi Buffon talks, the soccer world stops and listens. It's not every day that a living legend with a 28-year-long career and over 1,150 matches discloses to the world who he believes to be the best player he has ever faced, and the answer of the Italian goalkeeper could be called unexpected: Neymar.

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In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Buffon didn't spare superlatives for the Brazilian, underlining not only Neymar's ability but the potential that Buffon thinks he could have reached fully. For a player who has seen it all — Zidane, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo — the name of the Al-Hilal forward comes to the fore.

But why Neymar? What makes him surpass names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, and other greats Buffon faced — or even shared a locker room with?

Neymar: A Mix of Magic and Criticism

Neymar is, without question, one of the most divisive and intriguing soccer players of his generation. Some love him, while others are quick to criticize. And his technical ability on the pitch is unwavering. To Buffon, Neymar's technical ability put him in a category all his own, even going so far as to say he "should have won five Ballon d'Ors.

Here, Buffon isn't just recognizing Neymar as a star but as someone who could have achieved even greater heights. It is high praise, yet one of unfulfilled potential at the same time. With his brilliance, game-changing ability, and striking personality, Neymar certainly remains one of the most gifted players in soccer.

However, the career of Neymar has been somewhat of a rollercoaster: frequent injuries, the decision to leave Barcelona for PSG, and finally playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal in pursuit of greater prominence have set him apart in soccer history. Add to that the criticism he gets so often regarding his off-field behavior, and it becomes crystal clear that Neymar's story is anything but normal.

The PSG Chapter and Neymar's Impact

He had the chance to play with Buffon during the 2018/19 season, when both were in the ranks of Paris Saint-Germain. The team was, together with Kylian Mbappé, one of the favorites to win the Champions League. What sounded like a dream team finished frustratingly with an early exit in the round of 16 at Manchester United.

Buffon was quite blunt after that defeat: "We weren't ready enough for the second leg." He didn't hold back from recognizing his mistake-a misplaced pass that let in the opposing team's goal. What he said, however, was basically the detailing of the team-a star-studded team that perhaps missed the much-required collective state of mind.

That season left its mark not just on Buffon but also on Neymar, who continued to bear the burden of being one of PSG's primary hopes for European glory. Buffon, in reflecting upon Neymar's performance and presence, seemed to understand the weight of always finding one's self at the center of attention.

Buffon's Star-Studded Career

To understand just how big a compliment Buffon has paid Neymar, one has to put into perspective the Italian legend's glittering career. A 2006 World Cup winner, a Juventus and Italian national team legend, Buffon had one of the longest and most consistent careers in the sport.

He faced-and at times played with-legends like Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane, Iniesta, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Messi. It sounds like an encyclopedic reading of the history of soccer itself-the list of names that crossed Buffon's path.

But Neymar is the one that really left his mark on the keeper. To Buffon, this is not about the stats but the ability of Neymar to combine technique, imagination, and almost artistic vision to do things that set him apart.

Neymar and the Legacy Debate

When Buffon says Neymar should have won five Ballons d'Or, he's not only saluting the player's talent but also raising a question about Neymar's legacy.

Has Neymar lived up to the full potential? Many would say he hasn't. Frequent injuries, controversial decisions throughout his career, and the constant pressure of being Brazil's biggest star since Pelé have made for a career with its fair share of ups and downs.

On the other hand, the numbers tell a different story for Neymar. He is second all-time among Brazil's top scorers and is an influential player in his generation.

Talking of Neymar, Buffon almost looks beyond controversies and criticisms to underline him as the emblem of brilliance in a game that steadily moves towards efficiency from creativity.

Buffon's comments about Neymar reflect the perspective of someone who has lived soccer at its highest levels, having confronted the best the sport has to offer. His words carry a depth of wisdom and lightness of one that enjoys the artistry in the game, often lost amidst statistics and trophies.

For Neymar, Buffon's praise is a reminder that, despite all the bumps along the way, all the criticism, his genius on the field can't be denied. And for fans, it's a chance to re-evaluate the legacy of a player who, love him or hate him, has already etched his name into soccer history.