Gianluigi Buffon Story

Childhood

Buffon was born on January 28, 1978 in Italy. His father was a weightlifter and his mother was a discus thrower. Buffon has displayed his superior athletic genes, especially, in soccer games, right from childhood.

Originally a midfielder, he switched to goalkeeper at the age of 11, and joined the youth system of Parma F.C. at 13. Both of Buffon’s sisters practice volleyball. He started playing football from the age of six. He played his first match as midfielder at the age of 10.

Career

Buffon made his debut for Parma in 1995. He was part of the UEFA U-21 Championship, and managed to establish himself as the club’s regular in the year 1999. He seized the starting job for Italy just before the 2000 European Championship, but unfortunately, missed the tournament owing to a broken hand.

Transferred to Juventus F.C. in 2001, Buffon has lead Juventus in four consecutive league titles and a pair of Italian Supercups. His career ran in to some rough weather, when his name was embroiled in the Calciopoli scandal in 2006.

But not one to accept defeat, Buffon cleared his name from the charged levied at him, and stayed with the club even after Juventus was stripped of its two major league titles. Buffon led an inspired squad to the 2006 FIFA World Cup Championship, conceding just two goals. Once again, his career saw a stumbling block, when Buffon nearly missed all of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, due to a back injury.

Fortunately, though, he was selected to the team for the Tournament to be played in 2008 and 2012. Buffon proved it once again that he was impenetrable, allowing no goals in the 2013 Italian Supercup final victory. In 2014, Buffon was named Serie A goalkeeper of the Year for the ninth time in his career, and was elected to the 2014 Serie A Team of the Year.

Heights

In 2014, Pele included Buffon in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players. He has been named the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for nine times, and was elected to be a part of the Team for the Tournament after reaching the final of 2012 European Championships.

Personal Life

Buffon was married to model Alena Seredova. They are no longer together, but have two sons aged four and six, from their nine years of marriage. There is much speculation about Buffon now seeing local football TV presenter Ilaria D’Amico.

Achievements

 He has been voted into the UEFA Team of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

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