What we know about Gigi Buffon
What we know about Gigi Buffon
38 years old Gigi Buffon is still a measure of superclass. Goalkeeper "squadra azzurra" has not dropped goal at Euro 2016 and on Saturday night he is about to face the might of the German machine.
At the end of May Gigi won for the fifth time in a row the title of "Juventus" and did not give voice to give up. And when you look at his eagle eyes and stretched his veins on the face during the fight, he certainly does not look like bored by football man.
Buffon comes from a sporting family, where they are not used to transmit. His father gyulehvargach and his mother ... diskohvargachka. If you think the sport ever stop there, you're wrong. Uncle Buffon was Italy's national volleyball. A two sisters Dzhendalina and Veronica are volleyball players.
Older fans might remember the goalkeeper Lorenzo Buffon. Played 15 games for the "Azzurri" in the 50s and 60s, Lorenzo's cousin grandfather Gigi.
Besides perfect terrain Buffon of celebrities who always spoil the looks on the red carpet. From 2005 and began to appear with the Czech mate Alena Seredova. They are proud parents of two boys. But in the modern world love does not last long - married in 2011 and divorce in 2014.
Buffon follow privacy another great goalkeeper of our time - Iker Casillas. And fall in love with a television journalist. Ilaria D'Amico works for the Italian subsidiary of "Sky" and reflects Euro 2016. Take interviews from her husband. In January Buffon delighted fans in twitter with the news - they have a baby.
Gigi is a collector of trophies. In Italy, safely and it is difficult to list them. Total goalkeeper happened for the seventh time champion Italy, three-time winner of the Cup and is still 6 times rejoices with the Super Cup. In fact, Buffon is still twice champion with "Juventus", but these titles were taken away because of the corruption scandal, putting the team in the Series "B".
Personal Awards Gigi also enviable. When Italy became world champion in 2006, he was elected №1 of the World Cup. With 160 appearances for his country, 38-year-old guard is an absolute record. In early March Buffon broke the record of his great predecessor Dino Zoff - 603 consecutive minutes without a goal in the Italian championship.
The first big trophy of Gigi is not a "Juventus". Few will remember who was the winner of the UEFA Cup for 1999. It's about "Parma", which went bankrupt last season. Two years later the goalkeeper came to transfer to "Juventus". There devotion Buffon is legendary. Even after removal of the team from the elite, he refused to leave despite numerous offers.
When will he give up? Open question. There were those intentions after World Cup 2014, but decided to continue until Euro 2016. Now it is 2018 World Cup in Russia. With his six appearances of Eurofinal Big Buffon also a record. In Russia will guard it is 40 years old. The same age Zoff won the world title in 1982.
As any big star, there is something that is missing. When Buffon it is not so small - never triumphed in the Champions League. Twice the home team playing the finals of "Juve" - losing on penalties to "Milan" in 2003 and 1: 3 of "Barcelona" last June.
In investment Buffon is not as good as gloves. In 2010 and with Cristiano Lukareli decided to save from bankruptcy native club "Carrarese." After the first two seasons Buffon was left alone in the mission, and then the team disappeared.
Italy is a country with many great goalkeepers in history. Only the idol of Buffon comes not from our continent. World in 1990, the playing field as a player Gigi endlessly impressed by Cameroon Thomas N'kono. And decided it will also usher. In honor of his "discoverer" Buffon baptized their first son Louis Thomas.
"Anyway, finished the match Germany - Italy, with Gigi will always be friends, as we are now," said Manuel Neuer rival in Saturday superduel and goalkeeper №1 in the world over the past three years.