The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper has always looked up to the Juventus star.
Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris spoke exclusively with the club’s official website, and hailed Juve’s Gianluigi Buffon as an ‘inspiration’, ahead of his side’s friendly clash against the Italian champions tomorrow.
The Italy international is still widely considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the game, despite closing in on the age of 40, and it is little surprise that so many of the younger players in today’s game look up to him as the perfect example to follow.
Gianluigi Buffon
Lloris, 30, spoke to TottenhamHotspur.com, and explained how Buffon’s longevity is something that makes his career thus far all the more impressive:
“There is something special and it’s difficult to describe it, but he’s a player who can inspire those around him. Juventus have had so many legendary players and there is still one there in Gianluigi Buffon. When I was younger I was completely a fan. He’s the kind of player who can inspire you and when I was 15, 16, that kind of player and Iker Cassilas as well, they both started so young and that was an inspiration for me. I wanted to start young as well and that’s what I did. In terms of longevity, it’s amazing what he’s done.”
The France international certainly chose one of the best to model his own game on, and the cat-like reflexes that he possesses are certainly similar to those of the Juventus ace.
The only blotch on Buffon’s CV, however, is his failure to win the Champions League during his career to date, and Lloris will be hoping the he can go one better than his idol, in that department at least, with Tottenham.
And whilst that seems rather unrealistic at present, if Mauricio Pochettino can keep his group of players together, whilst adding some genuine quality, he could have every chance of doing just that.
Hugo Lloris in action
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