"Lionel Messi is an alien, that dedicates himself to playing with humans"

The legendary Italian will face off against the Argentine genius this weekend when Juventus take on Barca in the Champions League final

Another planet: Buffon knows stopping Messi will be key to Juventus' chances

Lionel Messi 's greatness has been hailed as "alien" by the man charged with stopping him in this weekend's Champions League final.

 Gianluigi Buffon will be between the Juventus sticks when the Old Lady take on Barcelona in Berlin on Saturday evening.

 The legendary goalkeeper has never won the famous old trophy in his 14 years in Turin and knows that stopping the otherworldly Argentine will be key if he is to do so this weekend.

 "Messi is an alien, that dedicates himself to playing with humans," he said as the build-up begins in earnest for European football's showpiece.

"The only hope is that this Saturday he will be from earth, like rest of us."

 Messi is enjoying a dramatic resurgence in 2015 with Saturday's Copa del Rey brace taking his 2015 total to a staggering 35.

 Buoyed by Messi's return to top form Barcelona have won the league title and the Copa with the Champions League the third leg of a historic treble.

In combination with Luis Suarez and Neymar the Argentine has formed the most dangerous frontline in football, with their 120 goal haul an all-time record.

 But despite their obvious talents Buffon believes Juve have what it takes to rein them in.


 "We will try to use our weapons, not to stop them but to limit their danger," he added. Messi himself has sung the praises of his South American comrades, backing them to succeed him as the world's premier footballer.

“It is hard to top lining up alongside Neymar and Suarez,” he said, speaking to Squawka. “They are two players at the top of their games.

 “We have only been together as a three for one season, so there is still work to do on the partnership, and we can all improve together - but we all see it as teamwork.

 “I’ve said before that with Neymar’s quality, touch and fitness, he can become the best in the world - and Luis is the same.

 “His touch, vision, his movement, his instinctive play, are incredible. “We all offer something different, and make each other better.”