A case of two truly great players putting the game to one side and showing their human side.
Over in Italy, the press are calling Michael Oliver’s decision to award a late penalty to Real Madrid, and against Juventus, ‘The Crime of the Century’.
We may only be 18 years into the 21st century but the Italians reckon the have found the grandest of larcenies at the Estadio Bernabeu on Wednesday night. Juventus defender Medhi Benatia clumsily bundled into the back of Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez to concede a late, late spot-kick.
Oliver was immediately swarmed by the Juve players, with an irate Gianluigi Buffon leading the howling protests. Oliver had enough and flashed a red card at the veteran goalkeeper who, as events transpired, was most likely making his final Champions League appearance.
Four minutes after the penalty was awarded, Cristiano Ronaldo scored it with some power and placement. The panache was reserved for his jersey-stripping celebration. Real lost 3-1 on the night but advanced to the semi finals 4-3 on aggregate.
Post-match, Buffon held court in the ‘mixed zone’ with reporters and suggested Oliver had the ‘dustbin for a heart’ for making the penalty call. The 41-year-old was sharing his views with several Italian reporters when Ronaldo was making his exit.
There is clear;y great respect between the duo, as evidenced when Buffon caught up with Ronaldo after his two-goal salvo in the first leg to congratulate him on his performance.
A case of game clearly respecting game.
Following the match, the Portuguese star tapped Buffon from behind to get his attention. The pair then embraced and shared some words together before Ronaldo exited the scene.
Il fantastico abbraccio tra Gigi Buffon e Cristiano Ronaldo in mixed zone 🎙 al termine di Real Madrid-Juventus 👏🏻 #UCL #RMJuve #SpazioJ
(Video di @nicolafrega) pic.twitter.com/LKtEbqUHJV— SpazioJ (@Spazio_J) April 11, 2018
It was a simple, fitting moment of respect between two great competitors.
Ronaldo heads on to the semi finals while Buffon must resign himself to the fact that a Champions League trophy has slipped beyond his grasp. That does not make him any less great but it does not mean his latest failure will not sting for years to come.
