However, after a 0–0 draw, he lost a penalty shootout to Milan in the 2003 Champions League Final. Juventus FC won the league and the Supercoppa Italiana in the 2001-03 seasons, bringing instant success to their goalkeeper. Gigi Buffon made his Juventus debut against Venezia on 26 August 2001, keeping a clean sheet in a 4–0 win. Since his debut, Gigi’s career has gone from strength to strength, and in 2001 he left boyhood club Parma to sign for Juventus. On 3rd July 2001, Juventus FC paid Parma a world-record fee of €51,645,690 for the goalkeeper. His first European trophy was the UEFA Cup, which he won against Marseille 3–0 in 1998-89.
#Gigi buffon full#
Gianluigi Buffon’s second full Serie A season, 1996–97, saw him take the starting Parma goalkeeper’s position ahead of Luca Bucci and Alessandro Nesta. Not fazed one bit, Gigi Buffon made saves on Ballon d’Or winners Roberto Baggio and George Weah, keeping a clean sheet and earning the nickname “Superman” in the process. In no time at all, he gained a reputation as one of Italy’s most promising young goalkeepers, He was incredible.
#Gigi buffon professional#
On November 19, 1995, at the tender age of 17, Gianluigi Buffon made his professional debut against Fabio Capello’s imperious AC Milan. to start his youth career.Īfter four years of learning and developing at the Maria Luigia boarding school at Parma, Gigi was thrust into the spotlight. Thanks to his natural talent and work ethic, Gigi Buffon quickly adapted to his new position and, after less than a year, joined the system of Serie A side Parma team at just 13.
However, he soon found a new home at Bonascola. It wasn’t an easy transition for Gianluigi Buffon, especially since all his admirers wanted Gigi the midfielder, and not Gigi, the goalkeeper.
#Gigi buffon tv#
Gigi Buffon was glued to the TV every time N’Kono and his teammates took to the soccer field, and the Italian goalie wanted to emulate his idol. Thomas N’Kono impressed between the soccer goal posts as the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon reached the quarterfinals, only to be controversially knocked out by England. Then, during the memorable Italia ’90 World Cup, Gigi’s newfound love turned into an obsession. Instead, he wanted to be a goalkeeper.Īfter watching the exploits of Thomas N’Kono in 1987, when his Espanyol side dumped Milan out of the UEFA Cup, Buffon became enamored with the goalkeeping position. Soon, bigger clubs came calling, and even the mighty Inter Milan got wind of Buffon’s development, but Gigi wasn’t interested in being a midfielder anymore. Parma was his boyhood club when growing up. His physique and technical ability made Gianluigi Buffon an ideal midfield enforcer, and word quickly spread that Gigi’s club, Perticata, had an exceptional talent on their hands. Born into a family obsessed with sports, young Gigi Buffon soon found himself running around on the football pitch. Had it not been for a Cameroonian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon might have never reached such dizzying heights.įrom an early age, it was evident that the boy from Carrara, Tuscany, would achieve international greatness. (He will be 45 years old on January 28, 2023) His illustrious 26-year career has seen him lift a World Cup and amass an impressive collection of numerous league titles. He is still going strong at 44 years of age. Due to his longevity and consistency, Gigi Buffon is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
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