Who is better buffon or casillas

One more game remains of what has, on the whole, been a hugely enjoyable and successful tournament for the continent's football fans. But in that one game, two of the greatest goalkeepers in recent times will come head to head, and there can be only one winner. Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon were both child stars. The Italian made his league debut at 17, Casillas was 18, and both made it onto the international scene while still teenagers.

The pair have tasted glory at both domestic and international level, each having won the World Cup before now, and have come up against each other many times for both club and country over the last decade or so.

But never have they met in such salubrious surroundings as a major tournament final as they will at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev on Sunday. Over recent years, injuries and form have seen Buffon's position at the top-end of the game questioned at a time when Casillas has been winning plaudits aplenty.

But the Juventus shot-stopper's return to brilliance has helped him to once more be recognised as one of the game's greats, and with a great European Championship behind him, he will now be looking to emulate Casillas' feat of four years ago by lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy aloft as his nation's captain. There is very little to separate the two men in terms of palmares. Both are goalkeepers of the very highest order who have proven time and again in recent weeks just how important they can be to their club and country.

Those triumphs on the continent have been among countless examples of his big-game attitude. After so many years, it would have been a shame for their rivalry to end on that note. Luckily for football fans around the world, a move to Porto reinvigorated Casillas and this season's Champions League round-of draw has offered another chance for two of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time to meet again. For me, you the best!!

IkerCasillas ChampionsLeague I don't choose. We are the best? Casillas still has the upper hand in international clashes W5, D3, L1 but Juve's win in the first leg, after which the two veterans shared a meaningful hug, means that their club record is balanced W3, D2, L3. Juve are big favourites to win again on Tuesday, and give Buffon the likely final say in their personal battle. Pundits might differ over who which was the better keeper over the years, but the two men themselves seem content with their shared professional and personal respect.

Skip to main content Skip to navigation. A history of Casillas vs. Kane to Man City? Conte faces fight to keep Spurs striker. The Spaniard may have also been a teenage phenomenon but by his early thirties he was a busted flush. He lost his place in the Real Madrid team at the age of 31, spent an entire La Liga campaign on the bench and for three seasons now has been a figure of fun. Buffon has lost some of his agility and reflexes in recent years, but his consistency has remained constant throughout his career.

He has not seen his legacy tarnished like the increasingly error-prone Casillas did after his horror displays at the World Cup. As an all-round goalkeeper, Buffon is undeniably superior. His command of the penalty area and crosses, his communication and leadership, and the tranquillity he transmits to his defenders — these are qualities that Casillas has never really boasted. In terms of trophies, Iker has the edge. He has won fewer league medals five to eight but has lifted three Champions Leagues as well as two European Championships — titles Buffon has yet to win.

But Casillas was also fortunate to play for one of the greatest international teams in history — with the goalkeeper usually a spectator as Spain dominated 70 per cent of possession in games. And two of the biggest names in goalkeeping in this generation have been Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon. Probably the only no-brainer in this comparison, the question of comparison of current form would have a unanimous answer across the game.

Ever since that fateful fracture three years ago, his career graph has taken a nosedive, and what we see today is a pale shadow of the man who once guarded the sticks with an aura about him. Gianluigi Buffon, on the other hand, still remains a real fan favourite, with his commanding displays endearing him even more to the Bianconeri faithful. While his reflexes may have slowed down considerably, his anticipation and positioning has improved with age.

His display at the Bernabeu last week was testament to this. Few men can claim to have won the accolades that Saint Iker has won. In fact, he lifted the albatross that hung around the neck of a country that had been perennially tagged as under achievers in global tournaments. His Italian counterpart too has had a glittering career, with more than a fair share of honours.

The last ditch saves and flying stops are worth their weight in gold, especially when the stakes are high. And few keepers have lifted their game to the heights that Casillas has during the 3 big profile finals that the La Roja played over the last decade.

After all, who can forget his incredible save when faced one on one with Arjen Robben during that historic night in Johannesburg five years ago?