Gianluigi Buffon ventures abroad after completing historic career in Italy
PARIS: After 23 seasons as one of the unmovable pillars of Italian football, Gianluigi Buffon is experimenting with life abroad as he signs for Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 40.
The veteran keeper has remained rooted in his native Italy through almost 900 club games for Parma and then Juventus and a European record 176 caps for Italy.
On the way, Buffon has won a string of trophies. He is also the only goalkeeper to win the UEFA player of the year award.
But it has been an “eventful rollercoaster ride of a journey,” as club president Andrea Agnelli said on the eve of Buffon’s Juventus farewell in May.
It has been a career which has repeatedly touched the heights but also brought reverses.
Last season, Buffon captained Juventus to a seventh straight Serie A title and a fourth consecutive Italian Cup but also suffered two moments of heart-breaking disappointment.
In April, Buffon again missed out on the Champions League, sent off for dissent after Juventus conceded the injury time penalty that eliminated them at Real Madrid.
In November, Buffon was part of the Italy team that missed the World Cup after losing a qualifying play-off against Sweden. Buffon also missed almost two months of action with a calf injury.
The goalkeeper made his debut with Parma at 17 in 1995. He won the Italian Cup, SuperCup and UEFA Cup at the club before moving to Juventus in 2001, winning nine Serie A titles, four Italian Cups and five SuperCups.
Buffon made his Italy debut at 19 in 1997. In 2006, he conceded only two goals in seven matches - a record he shares with Spain’s Iker Casillas and France’s Fabien Barthez - as Italy won the World Cup. His place in Germany had been in doubt as Juventus were embroiled in scandal. Buffon was cleared, but the club were relegated. Some stars left, but Buffon stayed loyal.
“When we descended into Hell in 2006, he stayed with us and played his part in our return to Paradise. We will be forever grateful for his loyalty,” Agnelli said.
That only increased the adoration of Juventus, fans but before his final game, the charismatic Buffon tried to downplay his farewell.
“I want to live this day normally. I ask nothing except what I have already had, esteem, affection and respect. The rest I do not need it. As a child, I did not like birthdays and be in the centre of attention,” Buffon said.