Asamoah ‘privileged’ to play alongside Buffon

Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah holds it an esteemed honour to have had the chance to play alongside iconic Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Buffon, who recently announced his retirement from international football, is regarded as one of the best men to have played the beautiful game.

At 39, the shot-stopper is in the twilight of his career, and as the world prepares to send off a special son, Asamoah counts the blessings of playing alongside the 2006 World Cup winner at Juventus following the former's transfer from Udinese in 2012.

“Buffon is a captain and the example for everyone,” Asamoah told Totto Sport .

“He is always ready to help you. Also Andrea [Barzagli] and Giorgio [Chiellini] have always been very available.

“I played a lot with them and they helped me. At the beginning it was not easy. It was the first time I played for a great club.

“All these people have helped me to be as I am now.

“It is fantastic to train with him and it has always been in five years. I’ll never forget it.

"Even when I stop playing, I’ll always be proud to say I’ve played with him. He is a great person, a legend."

Buffon has won the Italian topflight on nine occasions, the Coppa Italia four times and the Italian Super Cup on six occasions.

Yet to win the coveted Uefa Champions League after thrice making the final, the Carrara-born lifted the Europa League title in 1995 and 1999.