Inter Milan great Walter Zenga has paid tribute to Gigi Buffon.

The former Juventus goalkeeper announced his retirement this week at the age of 45.

He told the Il Corriere dello Sport: “I sent him a message. We'll be in touch. A legend, not just another goalkeeper. I don't know if he's the greatest of all time, because I consider rankings to be false, but a man who has marked international football for a good 25 years. So, already beyond.

“A man who wins the world's best goalkeeper award five times is a legend. But if 14 years passed between the first and fifth trophy, I say 14 years, then that means we are at the Monument.

“You think that I have won that award on three occasions, in 1989, 1990 and 1991. Draw your own conclusions. The athlete and also the character were immense."

Of the current generation of Italian keepers, Buffon also said: “In the world, there are many on the same level and so it depends on preferences. In Italy, the school resists, although last year Maignan and Onana took the stage.

“But of ours, I think of Meret who won the league and did it with absolute mastery, transmitting tranquillity, or Vicario who earned himself a move to Tottenham. I like Audero, if I were Inter I would think about him.

“And then I am curious to see Caprile and Carnesecchi, who have already proved themselves. However, I should also add that Falcone and Di Gregorio have made their mark in their seasons at Lecce and Monza."