Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 7y

Gianluigi Donnarumma can eclipse Gianluigi Buffon - Christian Abbiati

Former AC Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has tipped Gianluigi Donnarumma to eclipse Gianluigi Buffon's achievements, even though he says the Juventus shot-stopper is still the best in the business.

Donnarumma has been tipped to inherit Buffon's No. 1 jersey for Italy once the 38-year-old retires after the 2018 World Cup.

The 17-year-old Milan keeper continues to impress in Serie A and Abbiati, who was his understudy at the San Siro last season and trained with him every day, says he is worth every compliment being paid.

"I know them both well," Abbiati told QS-Sport. "Gigi is the greatest, but Gigio can do even better. I would avoid making comparisons for the moment, though, although I am certain of one thing -- when Gigi calls it a day, Gigio will be his worthy successor in the national team. He has no rivals.

"Buffon is the best there has ever been, full stop. There are many good goalkeepers around, like [Manchester United's David] De Gea, but nobody has had such a long and exceptional career as he has. His secret is the passion, otherwise he would never have lasted so long.

"It helps when you play for a winning team too and when you have great teammates, because training becomes enjoyable and there are no long faces."

Donnarumma made his Italy senior debut earlier this year, although Buffon has set his sights on representing his country at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when he will be 40.

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