One of the finest goalkeepers of the game bids adieu
One of the greatest goalkeepers of all time . Gianluigi Buffon has hung up his gloves. In a career lasting 28 years in sport that is physical, testing and ruthless, Buffon never stuttered despite the physical and mental demands of the game.
As like everything big, it all begins with a small story.
It is a story we have heard, and it makes for interesting reading. But then there is a sub-story that makes it more so.
It was 1990. The 14th FIFA World Cup was kicking off in Italy. The favorites Argentina were up against an unknown Cameroon. Maradona was in his prime and had the world at his feet. In what became a part of folklore, Cameroon beat Argentina 1-0, and what a beating it was. The Lions played like hyenas, the Argentines took a thrashing like never before. They were kicked around and pushed about, and it looked like a bar brawl that lasted 90 minutes. So much so that Cameroon were down to 9 men by the end of it, but with a Roger Milla goal they had caused the first upset. One of the other heroes of the game was Thomas N'Kono, the Cameroonian goalkeeper. He was at his brilliant best and kept the Argentines out as they battled to level the score.
This as mentioned, is just the background to the story that is our focus today.
As Thomas N'Kono was keeping the Argentines out at San Siro, a 12-year-old not very far away from the field was watching the performance. Training to be a midfielder, the boy playing in the academy decided to do something which gave the football world one of its everlasting icons. He decided to be a goalkeeper and bought himself a pair of goalkeeping gloves. The first line of the incredible story of Gianluigi Buffon had been written.
Buffon : The Beginning
In 1995, at the age of 17, Buffon made his first senior appearance for Parma in Serie A. Parma was playing AC Milan. With superstars like Roberto Baggio and George Weah leading the attack, the young Buffon was named in the starting lineup and was facing what could be a nightmare debut. In the 90 minutes that followed, at the packed Ennio Tardini, Parma's home ground, Buffon put in a flawless performance. Picking up hanging crosses from the head of Baggio, and sliding into Weah's feet to smother the great Liberian, he made a name for himself and gave the fans a glimpse of the talent that would go on to make him a legend.
For the next two and half decades, graced the Serie A. ( except for a one-year adventure with Paris Saint Germaine and another in Serie B due to Juventus's relegation for reasons other than football).
Buffon's Glittering career.
In a career that is as glittering as it can get, Buffon was a winner almost everywhere he played. The World Cup in 2006 was the perfect addition to a trophy cabinet that included, 10 Serie A titles, 6 Coppa Italia, and 7 Italian Super Cups
Buffon without a doubt, is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
In a sport where players peak out in their 30s, the goalkeepers attain their prime around that time. Even by that yardstick, Buffon is a veteran. His love for the game is such that in 2021 at the age of 43, he left Juventus and returned to where it all began. He signed for Parma and captains the B side on a contract that extends to 2024.
In February 2022, Buffon's Parma drew 0-0 with Benevento in Serie B. This was to be the 500th clean sheet that he had kept. An incredible achievement, which included 332 with Juventus and 77 with the Italian team.
One of Buffon's Best Saves
Amongst the thousands of saves, he made in his career, the one that many of his followers consider his best was in the 2003 Champions League final against Milan. An unmarked Filippo Inzaghi got to the end of a flat cross and sent goalward a ferocious header, Buffon with little time to react lent left, just dropped down and pushed the ball firmly away. It all happens in the blink of an eye, but then that is how it is with great things. Inzaghi's reaction said it all. Take a look...
Gigi as he is referred to by those close to him is not just an ordinary footballer. While he often seemed to be a maverick with an air of quirkiness about him on the field, off it, he is the thinking type, a man with views which often are, philosophical. He comes across as someone who has seen it all and learned from every bit of his life on the field and off it. A great friend to those who know him, he is helpful and considerate to those around him.
In an interview responding to a question on how the journey has been, he said
There are some pieces of advice I could give myself,”.
“It’s important to get things wrong in life. And it’s even more important to pay for your mistakes. If you don’t pay the duty, that duty will still be owed to the end. Feeling embarrassed is an essential part of growth. It makes you feel bad, it makes you reflect, it makes you look at the nuances of a situation.” With age, many mistakes are easier to keep in perspective.
As the finest of the goalkeepers says goodbye to the game, he has left it enriched by the memories he created between the posts.