Brescia teenager Nicola Leali has spoken about comparisons with Gigi Buffon and transfer links with Barcelona.
Brescia teenager Nicola Leali has spoken about comparisons with Gigi Buffon and transfer links with Barcelona.
Already baptised as the ‘New Buffon’ by Lombard chief Gino Corioni, the youngster has now caught the attention of the Spanish giants.
“The President’s words were nice, that’s clear,” Leali told the Corriere dello Sera. “However, it’s an exaggeration.
“Gigi is like Diego Maradona – there is only one of them. Buffon is perhaps the best goalkeeper of all time, maybe apart from Lev Yashin who won the Golden Ball. But Buffon deserved that honour too…
“Barcelona? I’m not asking anyone about it. I hear the whispers, but I am just concentrating on Brescia right now.”
Although still a youngster, Leali is confident enough in his ability to suggest that he would immediately be ready to play at a higher level.
“I have never had any problems at being ready,” he continued. “I would feel good enough to be at a big club. I do lack experience, but I can only mature by playing regularly.”