Gianluigi Buffon believes that his Juventus team-mate, Paul Pogba, could one day go on to win the Ballon d’Or.
Monday’s ceremony in Zurich saw Cristiano Ronaldo crowned the world’s best player for 2013, picking up the award for the second time in his career.
Lionel Messi of Barcelona came runner-up to the Portuguese winger, meaning the Argentine was unable to add to his four previous Ballon d’Or titles.
Despite Messi and Ronaldo being only 26 and 28-years-old respectively, Buffon is adamant that Pogba has the potential to challenge for the award in the future.
"In the future I could vote for Pogba. He is one of those players that leaves you open-mouthed,” the Italian told Italia 1.
The 20-year-old French midfielder has impressed since his move to Italian Champions Juventus in 2012, with Buffon admitting that his fellow team-mates were surprised at Manchester United’s decision to let the youngster go.
"Myself and my team-mates, even in the third or fourth training session with him when he was still a stranger, wondered if they can see well in Manchester.”
While Buffon confessed that Pogba may get his support in the future, the goalkeeper revealed that this year his vote for the No1 player went to Andrea Pirlo.
"I voted for Pirlo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi," said the 35-year-old.
"Pirlo because he is the best in his role, Ronaldo because he was the best in 2013, Messi because he is the best of all time.”
Buffon, who has been at Juventus since 2001, has won every honour in the Italian domestic game and was instrumental in Italy’s World Cup triumph in 2006.
