"I liked the idea of playing with Lionel Messi after Cristiano Ronaldo" - Gianluigi Buffon opens up on why he rejected signing for Barcelona

Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has revealed the emotional reasoning behind his decision to reject a move to Barcelona, despite the enticing prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi. The 46-year-old, who retired in 2023, shared how a combination of nostalgia, fate, and a song guided him back to Parma instead of embarking on a new chapter at Camp Nou.

Buffon, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, had a stellar career that spanned over two decades. This includes an illustrious 17-year spell at Juventus and a season-long stint at Paris Saint Germain (PSG).

After his brief stint at PSG, he returned to the Old Lady, where he shared the dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo. Barcelona’s offer would have added another incredible layer to his story - the chance to play with Lionel Messi, having already shared the locker room with Ronaldo.

However, Buffon’s heart led him in a different direction; reflecting on his decision, the Italian goalkeeper said in an interview with Corriere della Sera:

"I had an offer from Barcelona as a second goalkeeper: I liked the idea of playing with Messi, after CR7. One day, however, I was driving, and on the radio they played a song by Jovanotti that I loved very much and hadn't heard for ten years: "Bella". I looked up, and I saw the Parma toll booth. A sign. Ending where it all began".

Notably, if Buffon had accepted Barcelona's offer, he wouldn’t have been able to play with Lionel Messi. The Argentine left the club for PSG in the same summer that Buffon returned to Parma.

Buffon is a product of the Parma youth system, beginning his association with the club at the age of 13.

Gianluigi Buffon gives his opinion on the kind of individuals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are

In the same interview, Gianluigi also gave his opinion on the kind of individuals he thought Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were.

The former Juventus shot-stopper recalled the 2015 Champions League final, saying Messi asked to swap shirts with him during half-time. He also revealed that he had a beautiful relationship with Ronaldo.

On Lionel Messi, he said:

"Champions League final 2015. Half-time. I feel a hand on my back: “Gigi, shall we swap shirts now?”. It was Messi. The real greats never put on air’.’

On Cristiano Ronaldo, Buffon said:

"We have always had a beautiful relationship: confidences, judgments on the new talents. I saw in him a great strength and also a fragility, linked to the absence of his father, to the hard path he had to face".

Gianluigi Buffon played against Messi six times and eight matches against Ronaldo. The Italian goalkeeper conceded two goals against the Argentine and nine goals against his Portuguese rival.