Hart, 28, said: “Buffon is right up there with the best goalkeepers in the world.
“It’s hard to say whether he’s the greatest of all time but certainly in my lifetime he’s been at or near the top for a very long time.
“Regardless of his age, he doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.
“I was excited to play against him the first time. Sometimes when you meet your heroes you can be a bit nervous because you don’t want them to let you down.
“But he was just amazing, just a real genuine guy.
“I see the way their players look at him and the way Italy treat him. He’s a World Cup winner, he’s done the lot.”
Buffon broke the appearance record for Juventus recently and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Just like the Italian, Hart seems to be an integral part of Manchester City and would love to achieve something similar at the Etihad.
The England keeper added: “He’s a real inspiration. He’s showing no signs of letting up. Age is definitely just a number to him.
“Every time I come up against him he seems to have a great game and I’m sure it will be the same here.
“To do what he has done is definitely body reliant. I never want to stop and I feel good.
“Playing every couple of days isn’t a problem to me.
“But I don’t know how that changes as you get older.
“When you see someone like Buffon it definitely gives you encouragement.
“It’s no fluke that people like Buffon break records, it’s down to his longevity, his quality and the way he’s looked after himself.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work and good fortune.”