Soccer unites Russia's Putin, Berlusconi, Erdogan

* Russia's Putin meets Berlusconi, Erdogan

* Trio talks football

By Gleb Bryanski

MOSCOW, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin talked energy and soccer on Thursday with his Italian and Turkish counterparts, whose countries are the top buyers of Russian gas, underscoring strengthened ties among the trio.

"Tayyip, I send you my love and hope that when you start speaking, you will congratulate me on Milan's victory over Real Madrid yesterday," Italy's Silvio Berlusconi told Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, according to a transcript published on the Russian government's website.

In his turn, Putin thanked Erdogan for a goal scored by Turkish midfielder Gokdeniz Karadeniz that sealed the victory for Russian team Rubin Kazan over Barcelona in the Champions League.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin and Berlusconi also discussed investment projects and met Russian businessmen working with Italian firms.

An Italian source close to Berlusconi told reporters the two prime ministers -- whose personal relationship dates back for years -- had dined on Wednesday night at a residence on the banks of Lake Valdai some 300 km southeast of Saint Petersburg, Putin's hometown.

Speaking to Erdogan on Thursday, Putin said: "Barcelona is a very respected club. In Russia there are many fans who love this team. But this is a sport. Our team Rubin was stronger this time. I repeat once again, thanks to efforts by a Turkish player."

"I congratulate you once more but I will have to work a little bit on the Spanish Prime Minister," quipped Berlusconi.

"He has nothing to be upset about," Putin said.

Russian and Italian media have said Berlusconi came to Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg to take part in postponed celebrations of Putin's 57th birthday on Oct. 7.

Peskov said he was not aware of any birthday celebrations.

Berlusconi said he will buy a Russian-made UAZ off-roader after meeting Vadim Shvetsov, the CEO of carmaker Sollers (SVAV.MM), mimicking a similar gesture by Putin who bought off-roader Niva, made by near-bankrupt Avtovaz (AVAZ.MM). (Additional reporting by Paolo Biondi in St. Petersburg; editing by Michael Roddy)