Former Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has shared one of the most memorable moments of his illustrious career, revealing how Lionel Messi once made him feel proud during the 2015 UEFA Champions League final. The match, played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, saw Juventus and Barcelona face off in a thrilling contest that ended in a 3-1 victory for the Spanish giants.
Despite the heartbreak of losing, Buffon experienced a personal moment of honor after the match when Messi approached him and asked for his shirt, a gesture that left the veteran goalkeeper deeply moved.
Barcelona started the final with a dream opening, taking the lead just four minutes into the game. Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic finished off a well-worked team move, putting the Catalan side ahead early and setting the tone for what would be a fierce battle. Juventus, however, were not going to give up easily. The Italian champions fought back with resilience, holding their ground despite Barcelona’s dominance in possession.
The second half saw Juventus equalize through Alvaro Morata in the 55th minute, as the Spanish striker pounced on a rebound to send Juventus fans into a frenzy. At that moment, it seemed like the game had shifted, and Juventus had a real chance to fight for their first Champions League title in nearly two decades. But Barcelona responded with the kind of firepower that defined their golden era.
In the 68th minute, Lionel Messi, who had been causing trouble for Juventus’ defense throughout the match, unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Buffon, with his incredible reflexes, managed to parry the shot, but Luis Suarez was quick to react and slammed home the rebound to restore Barcelona’s lead. Juventus, now trailing again, pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but their hopes were completely dashed in the final moments of the game. Neymar sealed the victory with a goal in the seventh minute of injury time, making it 3-1 and confirming Barcelona’s triumph in Berlin.
For Buffon, who had come so close to lifting the Champions League trophy before, it was another painful defeat. The legendary shot-stopper had reached the final with Juventus in 2003, only to lose to AC Milan on penalties. The 2015 final was supposed to be his redemption, but once again, he was left heartbroken on the biggest stage in club football.
However, amid the disappointment, Buffon experienced a rare moment of personal pride that he would never forget. Speaking in an interview with TuttoJuve, he recalled how Messi, one of the greatest players in football history, approached him after the match and requested his shirt.
“Leo made me proud when he asked me for the shirt in the Berlin final, and I was 37 years old. When he asked me for the shirt, I said to myself, ‘Mamma mia, how beautiful you are!’” Buffon revealed. “It was one of the few moments in my life when I felt not uncomfortable, but I looked at myself with different eyes. We exchanged shirts.”
For Buffon, who had spent years competing at the highest level, that moment was special. It was a sign of respect from a player he had faced multiple times and who was known for his humility despite his extraordinary talent. Receiving such recognition from Messi, a multiple-time Ballon d’Or winner, was an affirmation of Buffon’s own legendary status.
At the time, Buffon was already considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in history, having won multiple Serie A titles with Juventus and leading Italy to World Cup glory in 2006. Yet, in that moment, he realized that even among the best of the best, there was admiration and mutual respect.
Reflecting on that night, Buffon acknowledged that his immediate emotions were dominated by the disappointment of losing yet another Champions League final. “At the end of the match, however, we had other problems, not knowing that a few years later, we would have another chance in the final,” he said. Indeed, Juventus would go on to reach another Champions League final in 2017, where they faced Real Madrid. However, history repeated itself as they suffered another heavy defeat, losing 4-1 to Zinedine Zidane’s team in Cardiff.
For Messi, the 2015 final was significant in his own career as well. It marked his last appearance in a Champions League final with Barcelona, even though he continued to play at an elite level in the competition for several more years. That night in Berlin, alongside Neymar and Suarez, he completed a historic treble for Barcelona, cementing their place as one of the greatest club teams in football history.
The relationship between Buffon and Messi has always been built on admiration and respect. Throughout their careers, they faced each other multiple times in club and international competitions, always delivering high-quality battles on the pitch. Buffon, who retired from professional football in 2023, left behind a legacy of excellence, longevity, and leadership. Meanwhile, Messi continues to shine, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and further solidifying his place as one of football’s all-time greats.
The story Buffon shared is a reminder that football is more than just about winning and losing. It is about the moments that stay with players long after their careers are over. Even in defeat, there are instances of mutual appreciation that transcend rivalries and define the beauty of the game. For Buffon, Messi’s simple gesture of asking for his shirt was not just an exchange of jerseys—it was a symbol of recognition, a sign that he had earned the respect of one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport.
As Buffon looks back on his career, he may not have lifted the Champions League trophy, but he remains a giant of the game, remembered not just for his incredible saves but also for the way he carried himself with dignity, passion, and professionalism. And for Messi, who has faced and overcome countless goalkeepers in his career, the fact that he chose to ask for Buffon’s shirt after such a crucial match speaks volumes about the level of respect he had for the Italian legend.
