Gianluigi Buffon admits becoming the oldest-ever Champions League winner would give him “immense joy” ahead of Juventus’ Final against Real Madrid.

Buffon is aiming to displace former Italy teammate and Milan rival Paolo Maldini, who captained the Rossoneri to Champions League glory in 2007 at 38 years and 331 days.

Gianluigi Buffon admits becoming the oldest-ever Champions League winner would give him “immense joy” ahead of Juventus’ Final against Real Madrid.

Buffon is aiming to displace former Italy teammate and Milan rival Paolo Maldini, who captained the Rossoneri to Champions League glory in 2007 at 38 years and 331 days.

“We can feel the push of the fans, this enthusiasm and that has to be an ingredient, an extra element that during difficult moments can give us unknown energy to fight back and resist the Real Madrid passion or difficulties of the game,” the 39-year-old said at a Press confidence.

“Oldest player to win it? It would give me joy, immense joy, because when you reach this point, you know full well why you are here and what you had to give to get there.

“There’s nothing better in life than achieving something after working hard for it and being able to share that with your teammates, knowing we all worked together.

“Berlin in 2006? It feels very similar. The build-up to these games are all the same, they provoke the same feelings, those sentiments of great concentration, the right and moderate fear of the opposition, the correct respect, but also the confidence of what we can do.

“We go into the game tomorrow with confidence and the right dose of humility. Real Madrid are accustomed to winning Finals, we’re accustomed to losing them, so the two extremes meet and it’s rather a fitting way to change history!

“I don’t have much trouble sleeping the night before a Final. The afternoon of the game, then I have a bit more trouble!

“Roof on the stadium? We’re not clear if the motivation is for security or rain, but I played already with a roof in Amsterdam and in South Korea at the World Cup, so I didn’t see much difference.

“The emotions I feel will certainly be different to younger players or ones like Dani who have already won this trophy and have at least 4-5 years of football ahead of them. I do not.

“Therefore it’ll be a much more special game for me and I intend to play it without regrets. That is my imperative for this night and I hope to achieve it, because we’re a very united squad based on altruism.

“I know that my good performance can help the team and that is the gift I want to give to my teammates.

“It’s a balancing act to keep focused, as the moment anxiety takes over, you need to pile on confidence and history to balance that out. This is how I face these situations.

“Ronaldo and Benzema are not in my nightmares, especially as there are others in the Real Madrid squad who could hurt me and one night would not be enough to dream all of them.”

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