Legendary Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon praised Mike Maignan for his role in helping Milan win the Scudetto.
The Rossoneri ended their 11-year run without a Serie A title when they beat Sassuolo 3-0 on Sunday to pip Inter to the trophy.
Maignan was signed at the beginning of the season as a replacement for the departing Gianluigi Donnarumma and Buffon has added his voice to those praising the former Lille No. 1.
Asked about Maignan at a charity event in Florence, he said: “A top goalkeeper: three most important pillars [for Milan’s success were] Maignan, Theo Hernandez, [Sandro] Tonali and when he has been available, Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic].”
Asked about Rafael Leao’s impact, he added: “Him, too, of course, even if a little more inconsistently. This shows what believing together, having a compact group and and a manager who can stimulate you to the right point and create a positive atmosphere means.”
Buffon, who played for Parma and Juventus in Serie A, won Italy’s top flight on 10 occasions with his first title success in 2001-02.
He was part of eight of Juve’s run of nine successive titles, having moved to Paris Saint-Germain for the 2018-19 campaign before returning to win one more Scudetto the following season.
He also won the Coppa Italia on four occasions and reached the Champions League final three times with Bianconeri, losing on each occasion.