Gianluigi Buffon and Angel Di Maria spent a season together in Paris when the goalkeeper first left Juventus. The legend heaped his praise on his former teammate, suggesting he would run amok if he indeed joined the Bianconeri.
“He would be like Diego Armando Maradona in Serie A. You have to evaluate players in their context. The Italian league has certainly been very impoverished from the technical standpoint. Instead, he has class in spades. He glides past his opponents with ease, he is clinical in the box, he is a capable assist-man, has a lot of stamina and can play in multiple roles. He is a true football player.”
Buffon discussed Di Maria, who should give his final answer to Juventus soon, to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He is 34, but I am 43 and I am still playing. Age does not matter, the motivation, the passion for your job and the determination do. If he decided to move to Italy, it would mean that he is truly ready for it. He is an exemplary professional and a great guy. He never gives up, even in practice. He is fighter, plus he is highly skilled.”
The winger showed off in the recent Finalissima.
“The defenders just could not contain him. He has the ability to always be at the right place at the right time. He caresses the ball and keeps it glued to his foot when he sprints. He is insane. When a goalie sees his coming, he can only pray he misses. I think he has been underrated over the years because he often played alongside champions, like Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar, who were more touted in the press even though he has their same characteristics and qualities.”