Regardless of their talent and/or longevity on the pitch, some footballers are simply legends.
Gianluigi Buffon? Well, he is one of those, and the Azzurri veteran once again showed why with a simply beautiful gesture before Italy’s friendly against neighbours France on Thursday evening.
As the French national anthem rang out around Bari’s Stadio San Nicola, the home crowd booed.
In response, Buffon began to applaud and team mates followed the 38-year-old’s lead. The fans joined in as cheers consumed the stadium, drowning out the boos in a heartwarming turn of events.
Les Blues won the match 3-1 thanks to goals from Anthony Martial, Olivier Giroud and Layvin Kurzawa, ensuring Giampiero Ventura’s reign as Italy boss got off to a less than ideal start.
Graziano Pelle, who signed for Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng in the summer transfer window, scored Italy’s lone goal.
It was France’s first game back on the international stage since their heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Portugal in the Euro 2016 final, played on home soil.
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