Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon spoke of his football career favorites as he named a surprise successor to the Azzurri den. In a video chat interview with Gazzetta, the Juventus custodian revealed some interesting tips about his favorite coach, childhood idol and most importantly, his heir as Italy's number one. "It is not true that we don't have good young goalkeepers in Italy. We just need to have more faith in them," Buffon said. "Marco Amelia, Gianluca Curci and Antonio Mirante are good, but my favorite is Federico Marchetti of Cagliari, a lad who has a great career ahead of him." Buffon declared that he enjoyed playing under 2006 World Cup winning coach Marcelo Lippi, both at international and club level. "In my opinion, Lippi is the best coach I have worked with, not only because of the good rapport we have, but also because he has proven to be a great boss for the national side and for Juve," said the Italy vice-captain. The 30-year-old revealed that his childhood idol was ex-Cameroon keeper Thomas N'Kono, after which he named his son. "Behind the champion there is a boy with his passions and his dreams, a boy who was a big fan of N'Kono and Cameroon," he added.
Lippi Regarding his toughest opponent, Buffon ranks former Inter Milan ace Ronaldo as one of the best ever to kick a ball. "In my opinion, Ronaldo (Inter) is only second to Pele and Maradona. But injuries have had a big impact on his career," he said. Juve rapport Buffon explained the significance of Juventus to him, which forced him to resist a move to AC Milan in 2006 when the Bianconeri were demoted. "I'm very attached to Juventus; when I agreed to stay after the relegation I felt I was part of a project," said the ex-Parma goalie. "I can confirm that after the World Cup in Germany I was very close to going to Milan. But then I wouldn't have been at peace with my conscience." Apart from Juve, Buffon stated that his favorite club is not Parma, where he started his career, but rather Genoa. "I could never play for any Italian team other than Juve, aside from Genoa. I'm a big fan of that team," he said. Buffon is sidelined until the new year with a torn abductor muscle sustained in October.
