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Gianluigi Buffon (Also known as Gianluigi Gigi Buffon) was born on 28 January 1978 in Carrara, Italy to his parents – Adriano Buffon (father) and Maria Stella Buffon (mother). He is known for his world-class goalkeeping and is playing even at the age of 41! Can you imagine how passionate he is? He is the captain of the Italian giants – Juventus and also lead his national team – Italy. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. In fact, IFFHS has declared him as the greatest goalkeeper of the 21st century.
Early Life
- Both of his parents were athletes. His father was a weightlifter and his mother was a discus thrower.
- Because his parents were athletes, he also started to work hard at the age of 5.
- When he was 6, his parents sent him to a football training camp.
- He was a good mid-fielder but he develops his interest from being an attacker to a goalkeeper.
- In 1992, he joined the youth team of Parma F.C. From then, his life changed as he showed his incredible goalkeeping skills there.
Career
- In 1995, he was selected for the senior team of the same club.
- There were many ups and downs for him but he did not take them as his problems in his career.
- In 1997, he played his first match for Italy, direct in the World Cup qualifiers.
- In 2001, he was signed by his most beloved club – Juventus for $45m which was a world record for any goalkeeper to be signed ever.
- In 2006, he was given the ‘Yashin Award’ and was declared as the greatest goalkeeper of the 21st century by IFFHS.
- In 2014 World Cup, he represented Italy as a captain.
- After 2018 World Cup, he decided to retire from his international career and he does so.
If you have a player like Buffon in your team, that means your team is a lucky one. We see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing on the field but Buffon is the only goalkeeper who is playing even after the age of 38.
This was a short life description about him. You will read about Ronaldhino in the next story.
