Gianluigi Buffon

[Socrates 8386]

Pirlo evaluating Juventus future, says Buffon

The custodian admitted his compatriot's transfer status was uncertain,
but insisted the Bianconeri's Champions League final loss will only motivate them more.

Jun 12, 2015

Gianluigi Buffon admits he does not know if fellow Juventus veteran Andrea Pirlo will stay at the club, stating the midfielder could be considering a move abroad.

Pirlo still has a year to run on his contract in Turin, but rumours linking him with a move to the United States have intensified in recent weeks.

But while Buffon failed to confirm the 36-year-old would remain in Turin, he nevertheless urged for speculation to stop, asking for his team-mate to be granted peace of mind in making his decision.

"I think Andrea will want to evaluate everything calmly to prepare his future in the best way. He wants to know if he can still ride the wave," the custodian told reporters.

"I speak to Pirlo daily and didn’t get any hints about his future. It’s a decision that needs a few days of meditation."

The pair will be coming face-to-face with Ivan Rakitic, the Barcelona midfielder who beat Buffon when scoring the opener in the 3-1 final win in Berlin last week, when the Azzurri take on Croatia this Friday.

Though he admitted that the defeat in the Champions League still hurts, the shot stopper insists he holds Rakitic in the highest regard, and holds no grudges against his opponent.

"I will compliment him for being a great player, for his career path and the latest success,” he continued.

"I am proud of the final and my silver medal. Looking at it will help me be even more fired up in future if I play in a game of that level again, either with Juventus or Italy.

'“There was some bitterness at the result, but you leave these things behind, especially when there’s another important game to play soon after.”

[Socrates 8386]

Gianluigi Buffon leaves Italy squad
following injury suffered vs. Croatia

Jun 13, 2015

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has left Italy's squad after injuring his right knee in a 1-1 draw at Croatia.

The Azzurri captain exited the match at half-time after playing with 10 stitches in his knee following an injury on the opening goal.

Buffon also saved a penalty from Mario Mandzukic.

Salvatore Sirigu, who replaced Buffon against Croatia, will likely be the starter for Tuesday's friendly against Portugal in Geneva.

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon Has Long Future Left
With Juventus According To Agent

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/06/buffon-has-long-future-left-with-juventus-according-to-agent/?

Jun 27, 2015

The agent of Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that he can see his client remaining at Juventus beyond his extended contract that lasts until 2017.

The 37-year-old opted to extend his deal in November last year and previously revealed that he had plans to retire at 40 and although his agent has revealed it is too early to discuss it, he feels that there is plenty more mileage in the Juventus-Buffon partnership.

“It is too early to talk about it [buffon playing in the 2018 World Cup and a further deal], the deal was only recently signed,” Silvano Martina told maidirecalcio.com.

“It is clear what the lad wants, he has never had any problems with the Bianconeri and therefore I think that the partnership is destined to last much longer.”

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus Captain Pays Emotional
Tribute To Departing Pirlo

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/07/juventus-captain-pays-emotional-tribute-to-departing-pirlo/?

Jul 7, 2015

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has paid an emotional tribute to his former teammate Andrea Pirlo who has recently completed his move to MLS side New York City FC.

The two Italian veterans have made a total of 263 appearances between them for the Italian national side, and the 37-year-old goalkeeper has since declared his formidable friendship with his fellow World Cup winner.

“Lot’s of words have been used to try to describe your achievements and victories but I want to use one that best describes our life spent together; friend,” said Buffon in a post on his personal Facebook page.

“Good luck my friend, for your present as well as your future.

“Thank you for the cheerful years we have spent together. Thank you for the tears of joy and pleasure that we have cried onto each others’ shoulders. Thank you for showing me that in football, sometimes anything can be made possible.

“A friend is the best thing that anyone can have and also the best thing that anyone else can be.

“You certainly have been one for me and I hope that I have also been one for you.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'A new Juve era'

http://www.football-italia.net/69702/buffon-new-juve-era?

Jul 25, 2015

Gigi Buffon said Juventus are starting “a new era” this summer with radical changes to the team, but “we mustn’t limit ourselves.”

The Bianconeri did the Double last term and reached the Champions League Final, but new faces make their debut in today’s friendly against Borussia Dortmund.

“We changed many players, some important elements with great character left and we could say it’s the start of a new era,” Buffon told Sky Sport Italia.

“What are our ambitions for the future? I think we mustn’t limit ourselves. We must figure out quickly what kind of a team we’ll be and where you could go thanks to everyone’s contribution.”

Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic started against Borussia Dortmund, while Sami Khedira and Simone Zaza are among the other newcomers.

“If I weren’t a Juventus player, I would still say that the club invested very well and showed their determination in a difficult time.

“We were able to get strong, motivated players with a lot of potential. I think Dybala, Mandzukic, Khedira and Zaza can in future be part of Juventus history.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'Juve changed at right time'

http://www.football-italia.net/70762/buffon-juve-changed-right-time?

Aug 8, 2015

Gigi Buffon lifted the seventh Italian Super Cup for Juventus and felt they “changed at the right time.”

Many expected the Bianconeri to struggle after releasing Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, but new buys Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala scored in today’s 2-0 win over Lazio.

“We changed three fundamental figures like Andrea, Arturo and Carlos, so a small price has to be paid for that,” Buffon said in his Press conference.

“However, if there was a moment when the team had to be renewed and risks taken, then this was it. We laid the foundations to win many more times over the years.

“If we were to lack the desire to win, then it would be a huge mistake on our part and ensure we’d never be top again.

“We must always have this mentality and approach. It was not an easy game against an excellent Lazio side, who are well organised and started training 10 days earlier than we did.

“We did well to have patience and keep the tempo slow in certain moments, so we could have more energy over the 90 minutes.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon tips Roma, Milan, Napoli

http://www.football-italia.net/71288/buffon-tips-roma-milan-napoli?

Aug 19, 2015

Gigi Buffon feels it will be tougher for Juventus this season, tipping Roma, Milan and Napoli. “You can’t win indefinitely.”

The Bianconeri have won four consecutive Scudetti, the Coppa Italia and this month beat Lazio for the Italian Super Cup.

They also lost stars like Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo, while Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira arrived.

“We cannot say whether Juve are stronger or weaker now,” Buffon told TuttoJuve.com.

“It is a renovated Juventus, almost changed in its very foundations, because three important players left who went on a big journey with us and helped us to win a great deal.

“Others have arrived with different characteristics, but I feel with the same quality, plus they are younger. It will certainly be more difficult to win this year, but we’re not abdicating before the season has even begun.

“There are moments in history when a club has to take risks, to prove it has clear ideas and a long-term project. Juve want to teach us this and I think they’ve done very well.

“You can’t win indefinitely, even when you are the strongest side. There are teams who have reinforced in Serie A and even begun a whole new era with great enthusiasm, so we have the utmost respect for the sides that will challenge us for the title.

“Looking at the transfer market, Roma are certainly the team who reinforced the most this summer,” continued Buffon.

“Amid the general transformation and the new project under Sinisa Mihajlovic, I also believe Milan will have a very good campaign, especially as they don’t have European commitments.

“I think if Napoli fans and players are open to learn from Maurizio Sarri, then they too can be a wonderful surprise.”

[Socrates 8386]

Juventus face a tough campaign, warns Buffon

The veteran goalkeeper believes a number of Serie A's
top sides have strengthened impressively so far this summer.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/20/14589722/-?

Aug 20, 2015

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has warned that a tough season could be on the cards for the reigning Italian champions as he expects Roma, AC Milan and Napoli to be challenging for the Serie A title.

The Turin side are the team to beat in 2015-16 as they attempt to win a fifth successive Serie A crown after cantering to the title by 17 points last term.

Last season's Champions League finalists have added the likes of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira and Simone Zaza to their squad, yet Buffon believes 2014-15 runners-up Roma will go close again this time around after bringing in the likes of Edin Dzeko, Mohamed Salah and Wojciech Szczesny, while he also refused to rule out Milan and Napoli, who both head into the season with new coaches at the helm.

"You can't win indefinitely, even when you are the strongest side. There are teams who have reinforced in Serie A and even begun a whole new era with great enthusiasm," Buffon was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

"We have the utmost respect for the sides that will challenge us for the title.

"Looking at the transfer market, Roma are certainly the team who reinforced the most this summer.

"Amid the general transformation and the new project under Sinisa Mihajlovic, I also believe Milan will have a very good campaign, especially as they don't have European commitments.

"I think if Napoli fans and players are open to learn from Maurizio Sarri, then they too can be a wonderful surprise."

Juventus open their campaign at home to Udinese on Saturday.

[Socrates 8386]

How Many Years Does Gianluigi Buffon
Have Left at the Top Level?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2550459-how-many-years-does-juventus-gianluigi-buffon-have-left-at-the-top-level?

Aug 21, 2015

His is a transfer record that remains unbroken, and for many that is a fitting accolade for one of the modern legends of the game.

Gianluigi Buffon is still the most expensive goalkeeper in world football history following his £32.6 million move from Parma to Juventus back in 2001. It’s a huge sum of money now but, adjusted for inflation, it was massive back then.

And for the 14 years Buffon has been the planet’s costliest ‘keeper, there would be many who’d claim that he’s been the best, too, but just how much longer does he have to go at the top level for both club and country?

Now in his 38th year, Buffon has just had a season when he appeared 47 times for Juventus, more than in all but three of his previous 14 campaigns with the club.

He also added to his astonishing total of 148 caps for Italy, a tally which makes him the player to have represented the Azzurri more times than anyone else. Not a bad accolade at all.

And so given that we all know goalkeepers have a tendency to outlast outfield players when it comes to the longevity of their careers, what is stopping Buffon from going on to play for a few more years yet? According to a report by Reuters' Brian Homewood on the Daily Mail in April, he has no plans to retire in the near future, saying:

A player stops when he feels that he is no longer what he was before on the pitch.

Looking at it objectively, that is not my case. I will continue to keep playing as long as I am doing well, otherwise it would be a waste. Why bid farewell to football if you are playing well?

Why indeed, and if, as Buffon asks us to, we do look at his case objectively, then there is even more reason for the veteran to stick around.

He’s just featured in 33 of Juventus’ 38 league games in 2014/15, with the club’s concession of just 24 goals going a long way toward securing a fourth-straight Scudetto.

Indeed, that figure of 24 goals is joined by 23, 24 and 20 in those other three Serie A-winning seasons, with Buffon appearing in 133 of the 152 matches Juve played over those four campaigns—87.5 percent of them.

Of course the art of not conceding goals isn’t just down to the goalkeeper, but these are mightily impressive figures and—when you factor in Juve’s run to the Champions League final last season—would be celebrated whatever the age of the man between the sticks.

Consider too that plenty of other world-class goalkeepers have kept active beyond the age of 40.

Ex-Juve stopper Edwin van der Sar—who left for Fulham when Buffon was signed in 2001—won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final with Manchester United just months before his 41st birthday in 2011, whilst the legendary Dino Zoff lifted the World Cup for Italy at 40 and played for Juventus until he was 41.

Could Buffon do that? Absolutely.

The 2006 World Cup winner will be eyeing success with Italy at the European Championships in France next summer, but he’ll also feel as though he has a great opportunity to add a few more Serie A titles to his name given Juve’s status as undoubtedly the best team in Italy right now.

June’s defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin would have been a cruel one for Buffon to take, as he has still never won that competition following a previous final defeat in 2003, and that motivation will also still be uppermost in his mind as he goes into a new European season.

He’s certainly showing no signs of slowing down, though, and quite frankly nor should he.

It is conceivable that Buffon could play for at least three more seasons for both Juventus and Italy, and those two teams will doubtless be delighted if he does so.

[Socrates 8386]

'Buffon the best of goalkeeper of his
generation - but not Italy's No.1'

EXCLUSIVE: Former Juventus shot-stopper Stefano Tacconi is a huge admirer
of the club's current captain but believes that Dino Zoff remains the benchmark.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2015/08/22/14481512/buffon-not-italys-best-ever-no1?ICID=TP_HN_1

Aug 22, 2015

Stefano Tacconi believes that while Gianluigi Buffon is the greatest goalkeeper of his generation, the Juventus captain should not be regarded as Italy's all-time No.1.

Since making his Serie A debut as a 17-year-old with Parma, Buffon has proven himself one of the finest shot-stoppers of the modern era.

Indeed, his €32 million move to Juventus in 2002 remains a record for a goalkeeper, while the only goals he conceded during Italy's World Cup triumph in 2006 were an own goal and a penalty.

At 37, he shows no sign of slowing down, having helped Juve reach the final of last season's Champions League, where the Bianconeri were beaten 3-1 but through no fault of Buffon, who pulled off a stunning save from Dani Alves while the Scudetto holders were struggling during the first half.

However, Tacconi nonetheless feels that Buffon still has some way to go to surpass their fellow Juve alumni, Dino Zoff, who lifted the World Cup as Italy captain in 1982.

"Is Gigi the best in Italian history?" the 52-year-old muses during an exclusive interview with Goal. "No, but he is the best of his generation.

"For the greatest, there's Dino Zoff. And even during my era there was Walter Zenga, and then Angelo Peruzzi.

"But Buffon is a great goalkeeper. He has done great things and he's the best of his generation.

"And he could still be like Zoff: he could play in the World Cup in 40. He is still in shape and playing well. I certainly hope he makes it to Russia.

"I also wanted him to win the Champions League last season. That would have been perfect for him and his career. He deserved it.

"But now we don't know if he will get another chance because there are so many great teams in Europe. It will be difficult for Juve to reach the final again."

Buffon, of course, faces fresh competition for his starting berth, with Juve having picked up Neto on a free transfer during the summer, after the expiration of the Brazilian's contract with Fiorentina.

Tacconi liked what he saw of Neto during his four-year stay at the Stadio Artemio Franchi but feels that the 26-year-old must now prove his worth all over again.

"Neto is a good goalkeeper. But he will need to show character at Juve," the ex-Azzurri shot-stopper added. "He did well at Fiorentina but Juve are different.

"He will have to wait for his opportunities because Buffon is ahead of him and is showing few signs of ageing. Therefore, Neto must be patient.

"Then, he must also adapt to the pressure of playing for Juventus, which is never easy. Players must have a strong mentality to play for Juve."

[Socrates 8386]

Gianluigi Buffon: Juventus will bounce
back from nightmare start

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/2594247/gianluigi-buffon-juventus-will-bounce-back-from-bad-start?

Sep 3, 2015

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has backed his side to recover from their poor start to the season.

Juve have made their worst start to a season since 1912, losing their first two league matches, and are one of five sides without a point at the foot of the table.

But Buffon told Sky Sport Italia: "These are actually the challenges which bring the best out of me.

"It's great -- fantastic in fact -- to be at the start of a new cycle. Changes are good for you because they give you even more motivation.

"Whenever you've got to get your hands dirty, work hard and reinvent yourself, then I really enjoy myself. I've always given that bit more when there has been a difficult challenge.

"It can all be remedied, I'm sure. I'm not concerned."

The arrival of Hernanes from Inter on deadline day should help, with coach Massimiliano Allegri getting the playmaker he had been searching for since losing Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.

"I'm now aware and mature -- I'm in the prime of my career," Hernanes said at a news conference in Turin.

The 30-year-old said he felt "stronger than ever before," and added: "My age has given me the experience, and I will get the chance to show my value here.

"I'm going to have many great things to experience here, starting with the Champions League, which I can't wait to play in."

Hernanes could make his Juve debut when they host Chievo next Saturday, with their opening Champions League fixture coming against Manchester City three days later.

[Socrates 8386]

Antonio Conte: 'It is difficult
to describe Gianluigi Buffon'

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/italy/news/antonio-conte-hails-gianluigi-buffon_244393.html

Sep 6, 2015

Italy manager Antonio Conte has hailed goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as a "champion" and has revealed that he has great admiration for Juventus's number one.

The 37-year-old is to receive his 150th cap for Italy when the Italians take on Bulgaria in their Euro 2016 qualifying match on Sunday.

The former Juve manager is full of praise for the goalkeeper, who has been a key part of the national side for the last 18 years.

"Finding the words to describe Gigi is tough," Conte told reporters.

"He is such a champion. I admire him as a player and as a man. He was my teammate, my goalkeeper at club level and now for Italy."

[Socrates 8386]

Gianluigi Buffon earns 150th cap,
clean sheet in Italy's win over Bulgaria

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/9/7/9270129/gianluigi-buffon-italy-150-caps-euro-2016-qualifying-god-of-goalkeepers

Sep 7, 2015

Gianluigi Buffon wasn't even close to being the busiest player on the field against Bulgaria on Sunday night. That's what happens when the opposition only records five shots over the course of a 90-minute game. And it's not like Buffon is all too unfamiliar with a situation like that. I mean, look at some of his games from recent years. Lots of standing around.

But like plenty of other times in the past for both club and country, Buffon was right there when called upon. He made the difficult save look like it's no big deal at all. He made the important, late-game save to keep the win intact with the clock approaching full time. Like when Bulgaria had one last attack Sunday night in an attempt to tie the game and Buffon calmly batted away a rocket of a shot as he dove to his right to keep the shutout alive..

That's Buffon in a nutshell, and that was the final result, his 62nd career shutout while wearing an Italy jersey, as the Azzurri crept even closer to qualifying for the 2016 European Championship with a 1-0 win over Bulgaria at the Renzo Barbera in Palermo.

So, let's just recap here:

Buffon making big-time saves — check.

Buffon getting a clean sheet in his 150th Italy appearance — check.

Italy winning 1-0 on a historic night for their captain — check.

If that doesn't sound as Italy as Italy can get, I don't know what is. Italy gonna Italy, folks.

And while Daniele De Rossi was off scoring goals and then getting sent off in the same game, Buffon was just being Buffon. We've seen it so many times before that it's become routine at this point. Eh, stoppage-time save to secure the win? No big deal! Have Buffon stand around for 85 minutes, but make two incredibly important saves? Works for me!

We can say Buffon is great in just about every game because it's pretty much the truth. The games where he's his typical self greatly outweigh the games where he's been less than stellar. But in these games where he hits a landmark achievement and does something great, those are the game you truly appreciate how long he's been doing this for and just how incredibly consistent he is at his age.

Squawka Football ✔ @Squawka
A clean sheet on his 150th cap, Gianluigi Buffon has now been the Italy No.1 'keeper for 18 years. Image says it all.

Amen to that. And it's just crazy to think that Buffon has been Italy's No. 1 ever since I was in elementary school and the Spice Girls were actually relevant. That's well over half my life, and yet Buffon is still the best there is in the game despite getting closer and closer to being 40 years old.

Keep doing what you do, Gigi. It sure is fun watching from afar.

[Socrates 8386]

Trezeguet: ‘Buffon the best ever’

http://www.football-italia.net/72707/trezeguet-%E2%80%98buffon-best-ever%E2%80%99?

Sep 8, 2015

David Trezeguet believes former Juventus teammate Gigi Buffon is ‘the best goalkeeper of all time’.

The ‘keeper has made over 700 appearances for Parma and Juventus, as well as winning 150 caps for Italy.

In that time the Carrara-native has won six Scudetti, two Coppa Italia, the UEFA Cup and the World Cup, and his former teammate believes he’s the best-ever in his position.

“Buffon is the best goalkeeper of all time,” Trezeguet told Tuttosport.

“I don’t see anyone who’s had the consistency of Buffon for the last 20 years. Since his time at Parma he’s maintained a very high level.

“He’s always been decisive, it’s amazing.”

The Frenchman also discussed his young compatriot Paul Pogba, and believes he too can go on to have an impressive career.

“He has a unique future ahead of him. We were talking about Buffon, and he can be the Buffon of midfielders if he keeps doing what he’s done here.

“I think he’s on his way to winning the Ballon d’Or, he has everything, and he’s still young.”

The Bianconeri have been defeated in both of their opening Serie A games, but Trezeguet, who scored over 170 goals for the club believes they’ll get back on track.

“Juventus haven’t had much time this year,” the 1998 World Cup-winner explained.

“Three key players in [Andrea] Pirlo, [Arturo] Vidal and [Carlos] Tevez have left, so they need time to fix the team.

“I’m sure against Chievo you’ll already be able to see a better team, it’s a team full of winners who want to show that they deserve to wear the shirt.

“Paulo Dybala? He’s got his whole future ahead of him, and it’s a big future. He’s already proven himself at Palermo, and he’ll do the same here.

“We don’t play in the same role, but I see in him a little of me when I arrived at Juve. I was young, with the desire to prove myself and a Coach who could help me grow.

“Dybala has it all, he’ll be the future of Juve.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: ‘Juventus need unity’

http://www.football-italia.net/72971/buffon-%E2%80%98juventus-need-unity%E2%80%99?

Sep 14, 2015

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon insists he was not attacking fans at half-time on Saturday, but ‘we need unity’.

The Bianconeri were subjected to jeers and whistles as they left the pitch at 1-0 down against Chievo, with the goalkeeper turning to the stands and declaring ‘we need you with us’.

“We all expected more,” Buffon admitted in a Press conference ahead of the Champions League match with Manchester City.

“There are some valid reasons, but when you don’t get a result in three games you can’t make excuses. We have to focus on the problems and understand what we can do individually.

“What I did on Saturday was a way of defending the younger players, wearing the Juventus shirt is a diffferent world.

“The team is giving everything on the pitch, we need unity. It wasn’t a reproach to the fans, it was a request to try to understand the moment and help us for the good of Juve.

“Who are we now? We’ll find out by playing. It’s undeniable that after three games we haven’t played well and we haven’t got the results we expected.

“We’ll get back to being the team we were a few months ago, who gave great performances in the biggest games. I'm sure of it.

"We’re a group of players, coaches and directors all pulling in the same direction, and I can speak for the players, they’re a great group of lads who really care about the cause.

“There are 25 or 26 players in the squad, and we’ve trained together two or three times, we need to get to know each other. The season lasts 10 months, it’s very long.

“I’m not here to duck the issue, I wouldn’t accept anything that is not first place. The next month will give us a lot of answers.

“Tomorrow we’ll try to give a good performance, and show signs of cohesion and team spirit. Juventus have never played too defensively in Europe.

“We have a squad which can put on a good show.”

[Socrates 8386]

Why Gianluigi Buffon Will Be
Juventus' X-Factor in 2015/16

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567816-why-gianluigi-buffon-will-be-juventus-x-factor-in-201516?

Sep 17, 2015

It's been a bumpy start for Juventus in Serie A this season. The four-time defending champions have only managed a single point through three games. They suffered a shock opening loss to Udinese before losing an early six-pointer against Roma. Expectations were huge for a rebound on Saturday at home against Chievo, but an early long-range bolt put Chievo up and Juve needed a late penalty to finally rescue their first point.

The start is worrying, but it's not unexpected. Juve lost a trio of impact players over the summer in Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal. The summer transfer window saw a huge amount of turnaround. No fewer than 10 new players have been introduced into the first team. Seven of them are midfielders or forwards.

It's going to take time for those new pieces to mesh. When they do, they have the talent to become a force of nature, but for the time being they need to start picking up points while the knitting process takes place. For them to do that, they're going to have to rely on the one unit of the team that returns intact: the defense.

The back line is a talented group, and their keystone will be the fulcrum on which Juve's season will balance: goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Buffon is Juve's rock. He arrived in Turin in 2001 as the most expensive goalkeeper in history. Juventus paid 100 billion lire—just under €52 million. No goalkeeper since has been valued at even half that.

He secured his place in the history of the game long ago. He's won almost everything there is for a player to win and has made some of the iconic saves of recent history. When he finally hangs up his gloves, there will be a significant and valid argument for him as the greatest goalkeeper ever.

What's remarkable is that as little as four years ago, most who followed the game considered Buffon a spent force. A back injury suffered during pregame warm-ups for Italy's 2010 World Cup opener against Paraguay forced him out of the tournament after only 45 minutes—a key factor in the humiliation that followed in South Africa—and kept him out for half of the subsequent season. When he did play, he looked a shell of himself.

The 2010/11 season was the second of consecutive seventh-place finishes. Things were so bad at Vinovo that Buffon, as he told Sky 17 months ago (h/t ESPN FC), that Buffon was considering leaving the Bianconeri and moving to Roma.

That all changed in the summer of 2011, when Buffon's former teammate and captain Antonio Conte took over for Luigi Del Neri as Juve's manager. Juve celebrated the opening of their new stadium by roaring from seventh place to the Scudetto, going unbeaten along the way. Buffon, now healthy, anchored a defense that only allowed 20 goals the entire season.

The next summer Buffon inherited the captaincy from the departing Alessandro Del Piero, becoming the spiritual center of the entire club as well as the on-field hinge of the defense. As the years have gone on, Buffon has carried on a long line of Italian goalkeepers who age gracefully.

As his long-time rival for the title of Best Keeper on the Planet—Iker Casillas—declined precipitously in the last few years, Buffon has continued to play at an extraordinarily high level. While younger men like Manuel Neuer and Thibaut Courtois are probably better on the field at the moment, Buffon is still an elite keeper and easily one of the best five in the world.

His powers were on full display on Tuesday against Manchester City. He made five saves, including a one-on-one denial of Raheem Sterling and a fantastic double save against Sterling and David Silva three minutes after City went ahead, that kept Juve in the match—with his performance drawing praise from coach Massimiliano Allegri:

ESPN FC ✔ @ESPNFC
"Buffon is an extraordinary goalkeeper, perhaps the best ever in the history of football."

A pair of fantastic goals in the last 20 minutes saw Juve win their first competitive game since the Supercoppa Italiana in August. It was a huge confidence-booster for the struggling champions, and Buffon's performance—which included a sprawling parry of a fierce long-range effort by Yaya Toure two minutes from time—was integral to it.

His shot-stopping ability, though not what it was at his absolute peak in the mid-2000s, is still elite, but what sets him apart is how he handles the rest of his duties as keeper and as captain.

Stopping shots is just one aspect of goalkeeping. The No. 1 also has to keep command of his penalty area, claim any dangerous through balls or crosses and, perhaps most importantly, marshal the defense in front of him.

In all these aspects Buffon is exceptional. Of the latter one, he truly has no equal. What's even more impressive is the fact that he can keep the defense together in front of him even when running entirely different systems.

Until Juve changed to a 3-5-2 in the middle of the 2011/12 season, he had never played behind a three-man line before, but he kept the new formation just as tight as the 4-3-3 that started the year. In the four years since, he has been able to shift between the two systems week to week—sometimes even within the same game—and keep things watertight.

That defense has been criticized at the beginning of this season—they've given up as many goals in three games this year as they did in nine last year—but a lot of their problems have to do with the fact that the new-look midfield has too often left the team exposed after giveaways. For the most part, the back line has been fairly organized—and they showed it in Manchester on Tuesday.

Buffon is the man who should get the ultimate credit for that.

As the season continues and this new Juventus team jells, their talisman will be there, keeping their superlative defense tight and mopping up anything that manages to leak through. As the players further up the field learn how to play as a team, they know they can lean on their captain and that so long as he is there, the way to goal is shut.

In turn, Buffon will impart his passion—his Juventinitá—into the new players and show them what wearing the black and white stripes of Turin really means. He will tend this team as it grows, and when it flowers—and there is too much talent in this squad for it not to—he will once again have been one of the biggest contributors to its success.

[gigigigi95 1]

Hi!

 

I would like to know if there is any possibility to buy the Green jersey that Buffon wore in the Etihad.

 

I can't understand why it's not availeble in the web store, the shirt it's awesome.

 

Do you know if they are selling it in the shops in Torino or any other way to get it?

 

Thank you very much.

[Socrates 8386]

Hi!

 

I would like to know if there is any possibility to buy the Green jersey that Buffon wore in the Etihad.

 

I can't understand why it's not availeble in the web store, the shirt it's awesome.

 

Do you know if they are selling it in the shops in Torino or any other way to get it?

 

Thank you very much.

Hi Gigi,

I think the best you can do is to ask directly the official site.

 

 

https://www.juventus.com/en/contact.php

 

 

Welcome to the best Juventus forum in the world!

[Socrates 8386]

NETO: ‘GIGI BUFFON IS THE ABSOLUTE NUMBER ONE’

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567816-why-gianluigi-buffon-will-be-juventus-x-factor-in-201516?

Sep 17, 2015

Norberto Neto says he always dreamt of playing for a top team while declaring Gigi Buffon is the ‘absolute number one’.

Speaking to Calcio2000, the Brazilian keeper explained how joining Juve was a dream come true.

“Since I came to Italy, I’ve always dreamed of playing for a top team,” Neto told the website.

“By coming to Juventus, I’ve fulfilled my dream. Since I was very young I wanted to join a team like this, and now I have to show I deserve it.

“On Buffon there’s not much to say, we’re talking about the absolute number one. Being by his side in training definitely helps me a lot.

“Thanks to him, I can certainly grow and improve faster. I watch the way he prepares for a match, the little things he does to stay at certain levels, and these are all important lessons which will be important for me.”

[Socrates 8386]

Pirlo: ‘Buffon the best ever’

http://www.football-italia.net/73084/pirlo-%E2%80%98buffon-best-ever%E2%80%99?

Sep 17, 2015

Andrea Pirlo believes Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon is ‘perhaps the best goalkeeper ever’.

The shot-stopper won rave reviews for his performance in the win over Manchester City this week, and his Italy teammate believes he’s the best-ever in his position.

“I’m lucky to have played with him since we were 15,” Pirlo told Sky.

“For me, he’s unique, and perhaps the best goalkeeper ever. Watching him playing and training is awesome.

“They won a good game, you approach these games differently, you can’t make a mistake.”

Pirlo played with Buffon at club level for four seasons, before swapping Juventus for New York City this summer.

The pair won the World Cup together in 2006, with Buffon picking up 150 Azzurri caps to Pirlo’s 116.

[Socrates 8386]

Trezeguet: Buffon Is The Most
Symbolic Juventus Player

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/trezeguet-buffon-is-the-most-symbolic-juventus-player/?

Sep 21, 2015

Former Juventus striker David Trezeguet has stated that Bianconeri captain Gianluigi Buffon is the most symbolic player to have played for the club.

The former French international spent ten years with the Old Lady from 2000-2010 and has since discussed these ‘golden years’, as well as praising his former teammate Buffon of whom he holds in deep regard.

“I had the fortune to play with some people who made footballing history in Italy,” said Trezeguet to Tuttomercatoweb.com

“I spent three golden years with the likes of Pavel Nedved, Fabio Cannavaro, Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero. The Juve of today now have Paul Pogba.”

He continued: “The most emblematic player at Juventus is Gianluigi Buffon.”

“I respect him a lot.

“As for the best player I played with, it is far too difficult to give an answer.”

During his highly decorated career as a Juventus player, Trezeguet made 245 appearances and scored an impressive 171 goals.

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: 'Shelve Scudetto talk'

http://www.football-italia.net/73557/buffon-shelve-scudetto-talk?

Sep 27, 2015

Gigi Buffon told Juventus to “shelve the Scudetto talk for a few months” after losing three of the first six rounds.

The Bianconeri are looking for a club record fifth consecutive Serie A title, but the 2-1 defeat to Napoli last night left them with only five points.

“So far this season in all competition we’ve had some convincing responses, others not so much,” the captain told Sky Sport Italia.

“We have to find a balance as a team. I think it’s time to shelve the Scudetto talk for a few months, because the gap is so big that we certainly can’t afford to reach beyond our current grasp.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: ‘Presumptuous to talk of Scudetto’

http://www.football-italia.net/73591/buffon-%E2%80%98presumptuous-talk-scudetto%E2%80%99?

Sep 28, 2015

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon believes it would be “presumptuous” to talk about the Scudetto, targeting Champions League qualification.

The Bianconeri have lost three of their opening six games of the season, and currently lie in 15th-place in Serie A.

“It would be superficial and presumptuous to talk of the Scudetto now,” Buffon admitted, speaking to Mediaset.

“Were we too contented? There could have been some initial contentment, but if that had been in anyone’s mind it’s definitely gone now.

“The Champions League places have to be a target, it’s the natural habitat of Juventus and the players on this team.

“At Christmas I hope to be able to say that Juventus are in the second round of the Champions League, and hope for a lucky draw.

“With regards to the League, I’m sure we’ll be in the top half of the table, in a mid-to-high position.”

[Socrates 8386]

Buffon: I Would Have Liked
To Play In The Premier League

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/buffon-i-would-have-liked-to-play-in-the-premier-league/?

Sep 29, 2015

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon admitted that he would have liked to experience Premier League football.

The 37-year-old also offered his thoughts on Sevilla ahead of their trip to face Juve in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

“Sevilla are a strong side, they play with an intelligent style and they are convinced of their own quality,” said Buffon to Marca.

“It’s true that they have lost some important players but the likes of [Ciro] Immobile and [Fernando] Llorente arrived over the summer.

“Their squad is made up of great players and we must have a lot of respect for them.

“Juventus have also changed a lot and we are finding our balance again.

“Some players are difficult to replace but we will be back.”

The legendary Italian goalkeeper also explained what the keys to his success and longevity have been.

“My secret is that I have grown and evolved as the sport has changed,” Buffon went on.

“I have matured and not just in terms of behaviour, my love of competition has kept me at a high level.

“When I was small I was a midfielder and nowadays a goalkeeper needs to be able to use their feet as well as their hands in order to launch attacks or keep possession with their defenders.”

The former Parma man also has much admiration for Juve team-mate Alvaro Morata.

“Alvaro has the potential to become one of the top two or three players in the world in a few years,” added Buffon.

“He has physical strength, he works hard and he is a complete attacker.

“For me, everything now depends on him and what’s going on in his head.”

The shot-stopper also acknowledged that he would have liked to test himself in a different league but he has no regrets about staying in Serie A.

“I have always been happy at my clubs and I’ve never felt the need to try something different,” Buffon explained.

“I have two and a half years of my career left but it’s probably too late to change now.

“I would have liked to play in the Premier League because of the atmosphere and tradition that you have behind you there.

“However, I have always been loyal to my teams, first Parma and then Juve.”

[Socrates 8386]

Ballon D'Or, Buffon left out

http://www.football-italia.net/73774/ballon-dor-buffon-left-out?

Oct 2, 2015

FIFA's list of candidates for the Ballon D'Or 2015 includes Juventus' Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Pirlo, but omits goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The ceremony will take place on January 11 next year, and will reward a player from a set list of 59 candidates.

Chiellini and Pirlo are the only Italians to make the list, on the back of their strong Champions League campaign last year.

Perhaps surprisingly, Buffon was not included in the list, prompting several unhappy responses in Italy.

Today's giornalaccio rosa dello Sport titled the front page 'Buffoonery', a term which World Cup-winning Coach Marcello Lippi echoed.

“I don't want to offend anyone, but I too think it's buffoonery that he shouldn't be among the 59,” he said, as reported by Calciomercato.it.

“I don't understand FIFA and I don't know their criteria, but Buffon is – no, I won't even give a technical opinion.

“The whole world knows his worth and what he did in 2015.”

Other Serie A or former Serie A players also appear in the list, namely Inter's Gary Medel and Juventus' Paul Pogba, Alvaro Morata, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal.