Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon (born January 28, 1978) is an Italian World Cup-winning goalkeeper. He is currently the first choice goalkeeper for Juventus F.C. and the Italian national team, and is regarded by many to be the world's best goalkeeper which is highlighted by the fact that he was transferred to Juventus for what was the largest figure ever for a goalkeeper.

Early life and family

Gianluigi Buffon was born in Carrara, into a sporting family: his mother Maria Stella was a discus thrower, his father Adriano a weightlifter, his two sisters Veronica and Guendalina volleyball players, and his uncle Angelo Masocco a basketball player. He is also related to former Milan and Italy goalkeeper Lorenzo Buffon (Gianluigi's grandfather is Lorenzo's cousin). As a young boy growing up in Italy, Buffon played as a midfielder; however his decision to become a goalkeeper proved to be a wise one. He is currently engaged to former Miss Czech Republic (1998), Alena Seredova.

Career

Buffon started his career with Parma in 1995. He was a member of the Italian Olympic Team at the 1996 Olympic Games. In 1996, at the age of 17, Buffon was signed by Parma and made his debut in Italy’s Serie A against AC Milan. After his excellent form for Parma, Buffon was awarded his first Italian football cap at 19, being called on to replace the injured Pagliuca during the FIFA World Cup 1998 play-off game against Russia in Moscow. Buffon was chosen for the 1998 FIFA World Cup squad but did not play a single game as Pagliuca remained first choice. After helping Italy through a successful Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, In 2001 Buffon transferred from Parma to Juventus for a world-record goalkeeper's fee of £33 million (€48.5 million or States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >^*62 million). He has said this is too much money for one player but that he does not feel under pressure because of it.^*. Buffon started for Italy at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In 2003, he won the 'Most Valuable Player' and 'Best Goalkeeper' awards at the UEFA European Football Awards. He was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004. Also that year, Buffon played for Italy in . In 2004/2005, Buffon helped Juventus to their third Serie A title in four seasons. His stunning saves in the crucial match against AC Milan months earlier virtually won the title for the Old Lady. In the summer of 2005 during the annual match for the Luigi Berlusconi Trophy, Buffon needed surgery for a dislocated shoulder after colliding with AC Milan's Kaká. His operation was successful and he returned to the pitch in November, but played only once as injury again returned him to the sidelines until January.

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Buffon let in only two goals; one was an own goal by teammate Cristian Zaccardo in the game against the USA, and the other was from Zinedine Zidane in the final, from a penalty kick. Buffon kept his goal intact for 453 minutes at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, putting him fifth in the all-time ranking for unbeaten goalkeepers.

FIFA declared Buffon FIFA best goalkeeper of the 2006 World Cup.

Juventus scandal

It was revealed amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding Juventus and the Serie A match-fixing that Buffon, along with former Juventus goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti and several other players, participated in illegal betting on Serie A matches while with Parma. The following day, he voluntarily allowed himself to be questioned by Turin magistrates in an attempt to clear his name. While admitting that he did bet on sports (until regulations went into effect in late 2005, banning players from doing so), he vehemently denied placing wagers on Italian football matches. Fears arose that he had placed his World Cup squad spot in jeopardy, but he was officially named Italy's starting goalkeeper on May 15, 2006.

On July 14, Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina were relegated to Serie B following the outcome of the Italian match-fixing scandal. Juventus have also been deducted 30 points for next seasons campaign. Because of this the club will almost certainly have to sell many of their best players - including Buffon, who is rumoured to interest Arsenal FC of the English Premier Leaguehttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-2272166,00.html "Liverpool set for raid on Juve." The Sunday Times (London) (online edition). 16 July 2006. Accessed 16 July 2006..

Quotes

"Gigi Buffon is in every way an original. His talent very quickly made him the number one of both Parma and Italy, whilst his personality, which is never banal, is characterised by great bravery both in his statements to the press and as he comes out to smother the ball at the feet of onrushing players." -Leo Turrini

References