Two of the best goalkeepers of all-time, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas shared a big hug after the final whistle as Juventus won 2-0 in Porto on Wednesday night.
The two have grown to become good friends purely out of seeing so much of each other down the years, as both men have enjoyed the type of longevity in their careers that most footballers are not afforded.
Casillas may have had to pick the ball out of his net twice in the Champions League last 16 first-leg tie, but Buffon was straight over after the final whistle to give him a big hug as the two swapped shirts for what may be the final time.. With Buffon aged 39 and Casillas at 36, both are still going strong, so hopefully we do see them face each other again... (Apart from the 2nd leg, of course)
But if not, let's enjoy this moment between two legends of the game.
#ChampionsLeague
El momento más emotivo de la tarde ?
El abrazo de Buffon con Casillas ? #UCL pic.twitter.com/zWHeAcwF6i— Rodrigo Salvador (@rodrigosa90) February 22, 2017
When the time does come for both men to hang up their gloves, they will leave storied and legendary careers behind them.
The heart-warming scenes at full-time in Porto have gone down very well on social media, with many fans using the opportunity to pay tribute to two modern greats.
Although they even had a moment before kick-off!
The amount of love i have for gianluigi buffon and iker casillas can’t be put into words…. pic.twitter.com/doxOUKRwbH
— Penaldooooooo (@DidamohamedII) February 22, 2017
That’s a robust trophy cabinet ?? pic.twitter.com/jakXU9p5aD
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 22, 2017
Massive respect between Iker Casillas and Gigi Buffon ???? #FCPJuve #PortoJuve pic.twitter.com/BVuBXwsCwx
— Scot Munroe (@scot_munroe) February 22, 2017
Its more like Casillas vs Buffon
Much respect for these two legends ?#UCL— Mterror Tongo (@Mterror02) February 22, 2017
Two of the greats #Buffon #Casillas pic.twitter.com/d2nUCERSQn
— Iwobi's Dancing Feet (@InvertdWhinger) February 22, 2017
Too much F*cking class in one picture #Legends #PorJuv #Casillas #Buffon pic.twitter.com/C2BqjdsHGX
— dennis van asselt (@denniss_9) February 22, 2017
When Casillas And Buffon Switched Shirts ???
— BuDu ⚡️ (@CallMeAbdallah_) February 22, 2017
Buffon and casillas trading jerseys makes my heart happy
— Josh Rasmussen (@RasmussenJosh) February 22, 2017
Buffon & Casillas... Respect ??? they don't make em like that no more.. #UCL #PORJUV
— THOBAN (@Mthobas) February 22, 2017
Quite easily the 2 best GKs of my lifetime. Have so much respect for Casillas, but Buffon is a god. https://t.co/nVOCVQvfUT
— Matt Harrison (@MattLostBoyo) February 22, 2017
With two away goals it looks all but certain that Buffon's Juventus will advance, but it speaks volumes about the respect held for both these players that this moment has become the talking point after the match.
Buffon, of course, is still going strong on the international scene, and will move clear of Casillas' international appearances record when he plays for Italy in the World Cup qualifiers next month.
It's great to see two players who have achieved so much have such a strong bond. A pair of legends.
