Gianluigi Buffon saw 'fragility' in Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus as legendary goalkeeper sympathises with 'hard path he had to face'

The legendary Italian goalkeeper was team-mates with Ronaldo at Juventus for two years before he left for Parma and the Portuguese star returned to Manchester United in the summer of 2021. Together the duo won Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup.

Buffon recently recalled his time in the Serie A with Ronaldo and how they shared a close bond. The Italian also gave a deep insight into the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's mindset, suggesting he still carried the emotional weight of his father's death back in 2005.

Speaking to Corriere Della Sera via Gianluca Di Marzio, on the release of his new book, the 46-year-old said: "With Cristiano, I have always had a wonderful 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."

The former Real Madrid and United star had a brilliant outing with Portugal in the international break as he scored a brace in their win over Poland last week. He will be back in action for his current club Al-Nassr on Friday as they take on Al-Qadisiyah in a Saudi Pro League clash.