Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Pirlo and Kylian Mbappé are just some of the former teammates who sent their heartfelt tributes to Gigi Buffon after the Italy legend announced his retirement.
The 45-year-old decided to hang up his gloves after a 28-year career in which he won almost everything, including the 2006 World Cup, the Scudetto and the Ligue 1 title.
“It is a great honour for me to have had the chance to meet you and cross paths with your legendary career,” wrote his PSG teammate Mbappé.
“A man with a heart of gold who gave precious advice that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Good luck and above all THANK YOU.”
Chiellini played by his side for both Juventus and Italy, forming part of one of the strongest defensive units in Serie A history.
“Gigi is not a teammate for me, he is a big brother. I always said that I saw him more than anyone else in my life,” LAFC defender Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia.
“In the last 20 years, I saw him more than my family. It was an honour, he will certainly find a way to give something to football in future. He just has to decide how, where and when.
“We had 16 years together at Juve, plus the Nazionale, so we will be bonded for life. At the start of my career, I thought he was quite mad, also because even when things went really well, he was the first to spot something wrong.
“He is a person who in every season, in the difficult moments, managed to find the right words. He gave you that energy and it’s not something you can teach someone. I think it’ll be important for his future too.”
Another former Juventus and Italy teammate is Claudio Marchisio, who explained why Buffon is the ultimate goalkeeper and will be for generations to come as well.
“Enzo Ferrari said that if you give a child a piece of paper and some colouring pens, ask it to draw a car, it will certainly be red. At the same time, tell that child to draw a goalkeeper and it will certainly look like Gianluigi Buffon.
“I started watching you from behind the goal at the Stadio Delle Alpi as a ball boy, passing it over to take goal kicks. The rest… we know.
“So enjoy this second part of your life. You won’t find the same adrenaline that you get only from being on the pitch, but they will be new emotions.”
Buffon’s fellow 2006 World Cup winner Pirlo posted a series of images of the pair together over the years, again referencing the bond that goes beyond that of teammates.
“Gigi, for me you mean the best years of our lives. It’s not just memories that tie us together, but a profound, sincere and passionate friendship.
“Superman of world football, from today you become a hero of our times.”
Maybe Inter will sign him