Darmian: De Gea is great – but he’s not a patch on this man
Matteo Darmian (l): Says Gigi Buffon (r) is greatest ever
Matteo Darmian has called Manchester United team-mate David De Gea “one of the world’s best goalkeepers” – but insists Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon is the greatest there’s ever been.
The Italy defender is preparing to meet De Gea at Euro 2016 on Monday when the Azzurri come up against Spain in the last 16.
De Gea has taken the No.1 spot from Iker Casillas, further cementing his status as one of the game’s best stoppers, but Darmian believes Buffon is the king of all keepers.
Darmian told Sport 360: “It’s great to play against David, he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Of course, it will be difficult to score, but we also have a great goalkeeper.
“They are two of the best goalkeepers in the world and, yes, there are similarities between David and Gigi [Buffon], for sure. But I think that Gianluigi Buffon is the best goalkeeper of all time. For me as a defender I feel very lucky to play with them.”