CL: It's Casillas vs Buffon as Juventus take on FC Porto

22 February,2017 10:33 AM IST |   |  AFP

Goalkeeping icons Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon will renew a rivalry going back almost two decades when Porto host Juventus in today's Champions League last 16. Age is just another number for Spaniard Casillas, 35, and 39-year-old Italian nemesis Buffon


FCâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Porto's Iker Casillas and Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon

Rome: Goalkeeping icons Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon will renew a rivalry going back almost two decades when Porto host Juventus in today's Champions League last 16. Age is just another number for Spaniard Casillas, 35, and 39-year-old Italian nemesis Buffon.

Between them they have 334 caps, 275 Champions League matches, 12 league titles, two World Cups, two European championships, three Champions Leagues, a UEFA Cup and a combined age of 74. T clash at Porto's Dragon Stadium will be the 17th in their storied careers.

Their rivalry goes back to their early years. "I am lucky to be three years younger than Gigi. I was 14 when I started and he was 18; I was able to see his style and personality," said Casillas. "As I grew up, I looked up to him and then we evolved together and we've had similar careers. Ours is a healthy, positive rivalry: we really appreciate each other and playing against him is always a pleasure. He is a player who is known and admired all over the world and he is part of the history of this game."

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