Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Federico Chiesa’s rapid rise to the top of world football has surprised him, and has described the Juventus and Italy striker as truly special.

Chiesa put a lid on a good debut season with Juventus inspiring Italy towards glory at Euro 2020 this summer.

The 23-year-old’s standout appearance came in Italy’s triumph in the final against England at Wembley, from which Buffon had been left speechless by his talent again, after initially having doubts about his abilities in Turin.

The former Juventus goalkeeper, who returned to Parma last month, has admitted that Chiesa did not convince him when he joined the Whites from Fiorentina in October 2020.

“When he arrived at Juve I did not think he was that good. I am honest. At the European Championships he was extraordinary. In the final against England it was impossible to stop him.” Buffon told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“After a season at Juve with Federico it is no longer a surprise to me, but it was not clear that he would be able to play at such a high level in a tournament like the European Championship. If you do those things at such a high level, then it means you are really special.”