Italy and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon lived up to his reputation of the nicest man in the game after he intervened to stop the home crowd from booing the French national anthem.

A video has emerged showing the Italy captain raising his hands clapping in an effort to implore a section of the crowd to stop as soon as he heard the jeers coming from the Stadio San Nicola in Bari. Within seconds, his team-mates as well as the rest of the crowd in the stadium joined in the applause, silencing the jeers. 

Italy lost Thursday's game 3-1 with Buffon coming off at half time. The 38-year-old is one of the most respected players of his generation, and will always be remembered for the respect he shows on the field to his opponents as well as his goalkeeping heroics. 

French newspaper L'Equipe wrote: "It's a beautiful victory of civility against ignorance. Buffon is an example to all".

Italy and France's rivalry is deeply rooted, culminating in the 2006 World Cup final.

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