UEFA Champions League final: Gianluigi Buffon inspired by Cameroon keeper Thomas N'Kono

Buffon has just won his eighth Serie A title - but has never won the Champions League. Italian football might have looked very different over the last two decades if an impressionable 12-year-old had not been captivated by the Cameroon goalkeeper at the 1990 World Cup. Gianluigi Buffon played as an attacker back then but the performances of Thomas N'Kono - playing in his third World Cup - inspired him to try life as a goalkeeper. Buffon said in quote,"All the eyes of the world were on players like Diego Maradona and Gary Lineker, but I was mesmerised by Thomas N'Kono" Buffon has won 168 caps for Italy more than anyone else. He has appeared in two Champions league finals being in 2003 and 2015. Both of which were lost to their opponents. Now,he is line for the third trial. Real Madrid are in a fine form and the man Buffon must try to shut off is Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. He is every goalkeeper's worst nightmare. Madrid are the defending champions and are determined to retain a cup they won last season against their derby rivals Atletico Madrid via penalty shootout.