Gianluigi “Gigi” Buffon is widely celebrated as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, with a remarkable career spanning over two decades. His professional journey began at Parma, where he made his Serie A debut in 1995 at just 17 years old. Buffon’s exceptional skills quickly garnered attention, leading to a successful tenure that included winning the Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup, and Supercoppa Italiana in 1999. His outstanding performances earned him recognition, culminating in a world-record transfer to Juventus in 2001 for €52.9 million.
At Juventus, Buffon solidified his legacy, winning an astonishing nine Serie A titles and four Coppa Italia trophies during his first spell with the club. He was pivotal in Juventus’ defense, setting records for clean sheets and earning the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award a record twelve times. Buffon showcased his talents on the European stage, reaching the UEFA Champions League finals in 2015 and 2017, and winning the inaugural The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award in 2017.
In 2018, Buffon joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he continued to excel, winning the Trophée des Champions and Ligue 1 title. He returned to Juventus for the 2019-20 season, further adding to his illustrious collection of titles. Buffon also made history with the Italy national team, earning 176 caps and leading them to victory in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he was awarded the Golden Glove.
Buffon’s career is marked by extraordinary achievements, including being named in the FIFA 100 list and the IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper five times. His remarkable athleticism, leadership, and consistency have made him an iconic figure in football, inspiring future generations of goalkeepers worldwide.