The Juventus icon has said he will hang up his boots after the 2018 World Cup, but his understudy, a signing from Fiorentina in 2015, is already raring to go
Juventus goalkeeper Neto has big boots to fill when captain Gianluigi Buffon retires, but the Brazilian says he is ready to be the club's No.1. The 26-year-old has been used sparingly since his 2015 move from Fiorentina, but always knew he would be behind the Italian legend in the pecking order. With Buffon now 38, however, Neto feels prepared to take over from the club icon. 
“It's what I came here for,” he told Goal. “I came to Juventus to be part of the group, it's one of the five, ten greatest clubs in the world. It's the coach's decision as to whether I play or not, but I'm always ready. “I have a good relationship with Gigi, everyone knows he's a great professional and a wonderful person. To be able to learn from him day after day is a massive advantage to my growth as an athlete.” The Italian champions have hit top form once again in recent months after a rocky start to the season, which Neto has put down to big changes during the summer transfer window. “It wasn't easy,” the Brazilian said of adapting to life without big names such as Carlos Tevez. “But that's normal. “Players were arriving at the club after others had left so we needed time to adapt. When it clicked, though, everyone understood what the coach [Massimiliano Allegri] was asking for. That was when we started this run of form. “Now we're playing how we should be.”
- Goal