Gianluigi Buffon lists Harry Kane among goalscoring greats but will hold no fear when Juventus meet Tottenham

Kane has enjoyed a prolific 2017, finishing the calendar year as the top goalscorer in Europe's top-five leagues with 56 goals

Harry Kane faced Gianluigi Buffon in pre-season at Wembley (Getty)

Gianluigi Buffon has compared Harry Kane to Gabriel Batistuta and Ronaldo, and labelled the Tottenham goalscorer "one of the best strikers in Europe" – but says he does not fear facing Kane when Juventus and Tottenham meet in February.

The legendary Juventus goalkeeper, who is set to retire at the end of the season, will face Kane in the Champions League round of 16 as he chases an illusive Champions League winners' medal for what is likely to be the final time.

Kane has enjoyed a prolific 2017, finishing the calendar year as the top goalscorer in Europe's top-five leagues with 56 goals, and Buffon believes the England forward is a part of an elite band of natural finishers.

“Harry is now one of the best strikers in ­Europe – there is no question about that,” Buffon told the Mirror. “As a player, you can always work on parts of your game and try to ­improve – but there are some things you can’t teach.

“That natural goalscoring instinct is for me a talent that you are born with. I have seen over the years with Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, [Filippo] Inzaghi, Batistuta, they have that natural instinct that can really make goalkeepers suffer – and it’s clear Kane also has that.

“Always in my ­career I have wanted to test myself against the best – and now Harry Kane is one of the best. I have always had the attitude that I don’t fear the best – I respect them – and I always want to play against them.

“That is one of the greatest ­challenges of playing at the highest level, to test yourself against the best players – that is always something I have enjoyed.”

Juventus play Verona on Saturday night hoping to reduce the four-point gap at the top of Serie A to the league leaders, Napoli.