Juventus Star Gianluigi Buffon

Introduction

Juventus star Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 40th birthday this Sunday, and there is only one gift anyone can give him. He has everything else: a glamorous partner (Ilaria D’Amico), a healthy family, a lot of medals and euros in the bank, and the adoration of millions around the world. Juventus also created the hashtag #GIG1BDAY for his birthday. He is the first goalkeeper to become famous for celebrating saves. Since his debut in 1995, he has won eight Italian titles, the World Cup, and the UEFA Cup. Recently, he has captained the Bianconeri to the league and cup double for the last three seasons. Buffon also holds many Serie A records, has made 175 appearances for Italy, and went to five World Cups, making 14 appearances at the tournament, conceding only 10 goals.

Achievements and Aspirations

Like other men and women who make history, the evergreen Juventus goalkeeper is interested in tomorrow, not yesterday, and wants to add a Champions League Trophy to his achievements. Juventus has reached the Champions League final in 2003, 2015, and 2017 but has fallen short every time. Arch-rivals AC Milan defeated them fifteen years ago at Old Trafford, in 2015 by Barcelona, and eight months ago by Real Madrid. Gigi joked that he would only play on in 2018-19 if Juve won the Champions League this season. But recently, the stopper told newspaper Repubblica that he wanted one more year, but only with Juve. “I’ll meet president Andrea Agnelli soon. I want the best for the team. I’d like to stay, but it’s up to the club to find the right solution. I don’t want to become an issue for the club or my teammates,” Buffon said (Repubblica, 2018).

Challenges and Future Plans

Due to a calf injury, Buffon has been sidelined since November, and his understudy Wojciech Szczesny has been impeccable since then. Buffon’s humility shines through when he says, “I have always let others have their chance. I’m happy for Szczesny; he is a very good keeper, and if we go on to win the league, a lot of it will be thanks to him” (Szczesny, 2018). Buffon has made 638 appearances for Juve, and with 18 more league matches, he will equal Paolo Maldini’s all-time record of 647. But time waits for no man, not even Superman. “I asked Marcello Lippi for some advice; he told me to take a year off when I quit” (Lippi, 2018). “I don’t want to be a club coach; I see myself in charge of a big international team. Although, I am not putting my name forward for the Italy job,” said Buffon (Corriere Della Sera, 2018). When the Corriere Della Sera asked him his secret, Buffon replied: “I have never been afraid to just go for it” (Buffon, 2018). It seems simple, but that’s because the true greats are masters of deception. They make immensely difficult things appear natural.