Juventus goalkeeper Buffon's grateful reply to Barça duo Alba and Rakitic

There's good camaraderie between the Barcelona and Juventus players going into Wednesday's game. Especially between Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic and Gianluigi Buffon. 

The Barça players have been full of praise for the goalkeeper, with the Italian international thanking them on social media. 

In comments to Tuttosport, Jordi Alba said that "Buffon's the best goalkeeper in history. I would love to change shirts with him and add it to my collection. For me it's a crime that Buffon and Italy aren't at the World Cup." 

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Ivan Rakitic said: "When a child writes out his ideal lineup, Buffon is always in there. When you saw him crying in the interview at the end of the match [against Sweden], you wanted to cry with him." 

"I would like to tell Buffon to go in my place [to the World Cup] because what he’s done for football is incredible. It’s a shame he isn’t able to finish his career at another World Cup and I’d honestly love to give him that opportunity." 

And Buffon replied to the praise with a tweet: "Dear @ivanrakitic , as a goalkeeper I might still play but playing for Croatia as a midfielder in your place might not be a great idea: I am saying it for your good sake. [] Joking apart, your words have been a great gift. Thanks to you and @JordiAlba: my jersey is waiting for you."