Gianluigi Buffon

Nargiz Mammadzada

Goalkeeper of the Italian National Team, Gianluigi Buffon, has ended his active career at the age of 45. He announced his retirement with a message to his fans on his social media accounts after an impressive and influential career in Italian football. 

Early Career

The goalkeeping veteran began his career where it ended: Parma. Buffon, a young talent who joined the team in 1995, rose quickly through the ranks to establish himself as a reliable presence between the posts. He attracted attention with his quick reflexes and unwavering dedication.

The 1998–1999 season saw Parma reach its pinnacle, winning the UEFA Cup as a result of Buffon’s saves throughout the competition. In addition to receiving praise for his efforts, Juventus paid him a handsome wage to sign for them in 2001, beginning the next phase of his long and successful career.

“one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of football”

The legacy of Buffon in Parma lives on as a representation of commitment, talent, and greatness. His time at the club laid the groundwork for a remarkable journey that would lead to him becoming one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of football.

The Legend of Juventus

Over the course of his legendary career at Juventus, Buffon made an immeasurable contribution to the history of the team. Buffon, who arrived as the most expensive goalkeeper in the world at the time for a record-breaking €52.88 million, quickly paid off the investment. His work guarding the net came to secure Juventus’ resolute defence and steady spirit.

“Buffon’s leadership both on and off the pitch contributed significantly to Juventus’ dominance in Serie A.”

With numerous league titles won during his tenure, Buffon’s leadership both on and off the pitch contributed significantly to Juventus’ dominance in Serie A. He earned a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers of all time thanks to his brave saves, superb shot-blocking skills, and unmatched sense of the game. Juventus’ success was largely attributed to the legendary “BBC” defence, which featured Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, and Leonardo Bonucci as defenders.

Through Thick and Thin

Despite suffering through the Calciopoli scandal in 2006, which led to Juventus’ relegation to Serie B, Buffon decided to remain devoted and led the team back to the top division. Fans admired him for his tenacity and loyalty, which helped him become illustrative of Juventus’ unwavering character.

“his legacy endured as a symbol of fidelity, talent, and a genuine representation of the Juventus spirit.”

Buffon said a tearful goodbye to Juventus in 2018, but after one season at PSG, he made an incredible comeback the following year. His second stint served as a testament to his unwavering commitment and strong connection with the team. Buffon eventually left Juventus in 2021, but his legacy endured as a symbol of fidelity, talent, and a genuine representation of the Juventus spirit.

Remarkable Career Full of Awards

During his career in Italy, Gianluigi Buffon won the following titles:

  • 10 Serie A (Italian League) Titles: 2001–02, 2002–03, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019-20
  • 6 Italian Cup Titles: 1998-99 (with Parma), 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020-21
  • 7 Italian Super Cup Titles: 1999-2000 (with Parma), 2002-03, 2003-04, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2015-16, 2020-21
  • Serie B Title (Following Calciopoli): 2006–07
  • UEFA Cup: 1999 (with Parma)

A Short Adventure in Paris Saint-Germain F.C.

Buffon demonstrated class and leadership throughout the relatively short, but significant, time that he spent with the French side. In his sole season, Buffon played a pivotal role in helping PSG secure the Ligue 1 championship for the 2018-2019 campaign. He also contributed to PSG’s victory in the 2018 Trophée des Champions, an annual French football competition.

“he can have a big impact wherever he plays”

Both the younger players and the team as a whole benefited from Buffon’s reputation and experience, which brought a level of stability and experience to the team. Despite his brief stay, Buffon proved that he can have a big impact wherever he plays thanks to his contributions and the titles he helped PSG win.

Coming Back Home

After 17 seasons wearing a black and white jersey, Buffon returned to Parma.

He set a record that is hard to break by playing in 975 official matches in his career. In addition to winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup title, the Italian goalkeeper was individually named the European Footballer of the Year in 2003 and the Footballer of the Year in Italy in 2017.

Tributes to the Legend

Tributes have been pouring in across social media to wish Buffon well in his retirement. It is clear that he has made a lasting impact across the footballing world.

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Featured image courtesy of via Flickr. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.

Nargiz Mammadzada is the head of our Sports Section. She is from Baku, Azerbaijan, but currently lives in Gdansk, Poland. She also writes for various platforms in the United States, Australia, Canada and United Kingdom.

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