Gianluigi Buffon - Former Footballer
Age: 48
Country: Italy Occupations:
Former Footballer
Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon is an Italian former professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport. Born on January 28, 1978, in Carrara, Italy, he enjoyed a legendary career spanning nearly three decades, characterized by remarkable longevity, elite shot-stopping ability, and immense leadership.
### Career Highlights
* Club Legend: Buffon is most famously associated with Juventus, where he spent the majority of his career across two spells. He won a record 10 Serie A titles with the club and stayed with them even during their relegation to Serie B in 2006, cementing his status as a "loyal icon."
* Early Success: He began his professional journey at Parma, making his debut at just 17 years old. He helped Parma win the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia in 1999 before moving to Juventus in 2001 for a then-world-record fee for a goalkeeper.
* International Icon: He is the most-capped player in the history of the Italian National Team (176 caps). His crowning achievement was winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he conceded only two goals throughout the entire tournament.
* Late Career: After a brief stint with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and a final emotional return to Parma, he retired from professional football in 2023 at the age of 45.
### Attributes & Playing Style
Buffon was known for his impeccable positioning and extraordinary reflexes, often making difficult saves look effortless because he anticipated the ball so well. Physically imposing at 6'4" (1.92 m), he was a vocal leader who organized his defense with authority. Unlike many modern "sweeper-keepers," Buffon was a traditional master of the "line," focusing on commanding his penalty area and maintaining extreme consistency over 25+ years.
### Major Achievements
| World Cup | Winner (2006) |
| Serie A Titles | 10 (Record for a player) |
| Individual Awards | 12x Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year, 1x UEFA Club Footballer of the Year |
| Records | Most clean sheets in Serie A; Longest streak without conceding in Serie A (974 minutes) |