An eye for talent: Gigi Buffon (left) picked out Hart for stardom two years ago

The second part of that prediction has already come true, and the first cannot be too far away now. One of the themes of Sunday’s match is the significance of the two goalkeepers: Buffon, 34, captain of his country with 117 caps, and Hart, 25, almost a century of international appearances in his wake, but expected to assume his mantle. Only Casillas, 31 and 134 Spanish caps, could challenge Buffon’s supremacy, and only Manuel Neuer of Germany, 26 and 29 appearances, comes close to possessing Hart’s potential.

‘Buffon is someone I admire and I think I can learn from,’ Hart added. ‘He’s a huge name in football, and a huge name in goalkeeping. It is a shame we don’t see more of him on television because he’s been a legend for years. He’s Italy’s captain, a player they look up to and I love the way he plays.

'He’s got a great style about him and seems to have good mannerisms, very in control of the situation. He’s calm and like-able and makes the big saves when required. He doesn’t go looking for action, either. When you’re playing a good side like Italy, the last thing you want is your keeper trying to take crosses 30 yards out or slide-tackling people. He just does his thing and is very good at it.’

It is worth remembering Hart is still young for a goalkeeper, though. Platt said: ‘When we played against Stoke City he tried to hit this 60-yard crossfield ball that went straight into touch. He’s got good feet, Joe, but he’s very ambitious and we had to remind him that, if you do it against Stoke, the next time you see the ball Rory Delap is going to be aiming it in with both hands, right under your crossbar.’

« Previous123456Next »