'Lionel Messi's Champions League gesture was beautiful - but I cried myself to sleep'

Gianluigi Buffon has confessed that his defeat to left him in tears. Despite a glittering career, the top European prize is notably absent from his collection of silverware.

Buffon was 37 years of age when he played his second UCL final with in 2015, facing in Berlin. Many speculated it would be his last opportunity to secure the prestigious honour. Both teams were vying for the continental treble, having already clinched their respective domestic league and cup titles. Barcelona took an early lead with Ivan Rakitic scoring in the fourth minute. Alvaro Morata managed to equalise in the second half, but goals from Luis Suarez and Neymar ensured the trophy returned to Catalonia after four years.

The 2006 World Cup winner found the defeat hard to accept. During the launch of his book 'Fall, Rise Again, Fall, Rise Again', he revealed that he and his wife were reduced to tears.

"It was 5:30am, and my wife Ilaria and I cried while hugging each other," the 47-year-old said to . "After Berlin, I went home. You're stunned by the defeat, like after a night of heavy drinking.

"I stayed in the living room, she changed clothes, and we didn't say a word. We hugged and cried for five minutes and then went to bed. Sharing the same feelings and emotions means a lot. It's always better to win because it boosts your confidence and self-esteem. But only defeats push you to think, understand what went wrong, and thus improve."

The iconic goalkeeper spoke fondly of his interaction with Messi after the match, noting how honoured he felt when the Argentine requested his jersey, a gesture which he referred to as an exchange with "the best in history."

"I was filled with pride in the Berlin final at 37 years old. When he asked for my shirt, I thought, 'My God, how beautiful it is.' One of those moments where I didn't feel uncomfortable but saw myself through different eyes.

"We exchanged shirts. At the end of the match, however, we had other problems, not knowing that a few years later we would have another chance in a final." Buffon suffered more heartbreak two years later from a 4-1 defeat by Real Madrid in Cardiff, which would actually be his last realistic shot at the Champions League crown that PSG and Inter Milan will contest on Saturday evening.