Pepe: Buffon deserves Ballon d’Or

Simone Pepe believes Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon deserves to win the Ballon d'Or for his exploits with the Serie A champions this season.

The Bianconeri look set to win their fifth consecutive Scudetto this term after going on a 20-match unbeaten run, with Buffon not conceding for 974 minutes.

Former Juve winger Pepe, who now plies his trade with Chievo, insists it's a remarkable feat that cannot be overlooked.

"For what he has done not only this season but throughout his career, he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, the 32-year-old told Tika Taka.

"Ideally, we could have one for Gigi and one for [Lionel] Messi," Pepe joked. "He is not a silent leader, you feel his influence in the dressing room, but he is always keen to joke and have a laugh, too."