Buffon chases UCL record

Gianluigi Buffon could become the oldest player to win the UEFA Champions League if Juventus triumph in Cardiff, eclipsing Paolo Maldini, who won the last of his five titles in 2007.

The Italian goalkeeper and Juventus captain is already the fifth oldest player to appear in the match, having featured in the Bianconeri’s 3-1 defeat by Barcelona in 2015, aged 37 years, 129 days.

However, two years on Buffon – who will be 39 years, 126 days old on Saturday, June 3, can surpass another Italian great, Maldini, should he captain Juve to glory at the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff.

Maldini was aged 38 years, 331 days when he skippered AC Milan to victory against Liverpool in the 2007 final, the defender’s fifth triumph in the competition. The match ended 2-1.

Regardless of the outcome in Cardiff, Buffon will become the second oldest player to figure in a UEFA Champions League final – a record currently held by Edwin van der Sar, who was aged 40 years, 211 days in Manchester United’s 2011 loss to Barcelona.

Oldest UEFA Champions League winners include Pietro Vierchowod in Juventus 1-1 draw against Ajax on May 22, 1996. He was, 37 years, 46 days; Alessandro Costacurta of AC Milan in the goalless draw against Juventus on May 28, 2003. He was 37 years, 34 days; Javier Zanetti of Internazionale in the 2-0 victory over Bayern München on May 22, 2010. He was 36 years, 285 days and Marco Materazzi also of Internazionale in the same match against Bayern München on the same day. He was 36 years, 276 days.

Meanwhile, oldest UEFA Champions League finalists include Edwin van der Sar of Manchester United in his team 3-1 loss to FC Barcelona on May 28, 2011. He was 40 years 211 days; Paolo Maldini of AC Milan in his team 2-1 victory over Liverpool on May 23, 2007. He was 38 years 331 days; Lothar Matthäus of Bayern Munchen in his team 2-1 loss to Manchester United on May 26, 1999.  He was 38 years 66 days and Ryan Giggs in Manchester United 3-1 loss to FC Barcelona on May 28, 2011. He was 37 years 180 days.