Paolo Maldini backs Juventus for the Champions League final, but is in awe of Leo Messi.
The Bianconeri will be facing Barcelona tomorrow evening for their biggest game in years, and the Milan legend knows which side he'll be on.
“I'm certainly going to be supporting Juve,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I have friends in that team.
“I've had everything from life, and while banter is fun, I'm not the type to hope for somebody's defeat.
Paolo Maldini backs Juventus for the Champions League final, but is in awe of Leo Messi.
The Bianconeri will be facing Barcelona tomorrow evening for their biggest game in years, and the Milan legend knows which side he'll be on.
“I'm certainly going to be supporting Juve,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I have friends in that team.
“I've had everything from life, and while banter is fun, I'm not the type to hope for somebody's defeat.
“And [goalkeeper Gianluigi] Buffon deserves the Champions League. He is the strongest goalkeeper of the last 30 years, an icon for world football.
“He's always smiling, always chilled. Sometimes he gets criticised for no other reason than his age.
“Mistakes that would be forgiven when he was younger now are not, I know that by experience.”
When it comes to the final, however, Maldini agrees with most bookmakers that Barcelona walk in as favourites.
“[Leo] Messi tips the scales, that's beyond question.
“I think he's reached and surpassed [Argentina legend Diego Armando] Maradona. He does incredible things, at a speed that is insane.
“But Juventus in Europe are the best at defending themselves as a team. They have a chance.
“And their great results so far are a prize for the solid plans developed by the club.
“Barcelona's attack? It's always best to face an exceptional team. If you can beat them, it makes for an epic triumph.”