The legend of Buffon began on October 29, 1997 for the repechage of access to the 1998 World Cup against Russia and since then it has been 20 years with the Azzurra playing at the highest level, competing in 5 world championships (winning in 2006) 4 Euro Cups and with 175 internationalities having conceded only 144 goals, average of 0.82 less than 1 goal during these twenty years ... almost nothing!
No doubt deserved a better ending ... for the best Italian goalkeeper in history, great Gianluigi! # Buffon1 the best goalkeeper of Italy big buffon legend and inspiration for many
Gianluigi Buffon
destroyed and no wonder after the elimination of Italy in the World Cup play-off against Sweden, he could not hold back the tears while confirming his farewell to the Azzurra after 175 international matches and five disputed World Cups, conquering the 2006 in Germany."We have Donnarumma, Perin and other great goalkeepers, time goes by and it's just that it's like that, I feel like my last official match is this elimination, it was a matter of time, this (his tears) is not for me, it's because Italy is out of a World Cup"
BUFFON WORDS AT HIS FAREWELL
Sorry Sorry. I do not feel sorry for me but for everything that moves football. We have failed in something that could even be very important at a social level. It is a very big disappointment: because time is tyrannical and happens. Well, that's the way it should be. It's a pity that my last match with the team coincides with a World Cup eliminationIT IS THE ONLY ONE WITH 6 WORLDWIDE DISPUTEDFate seemed to have armed the track so that the goalkeeper of 39 years became the only player in history to play six world. The chance vanished in the blink of an eye as the native of Carrara, in the region of Tuscany, prepares to hang the guayos at the end of the season. "Gigi" deserved another farewell.It closed the long curtain of Buffon in the Azzurra: 20 years, 175 games, 58 arcs in zero and five world and four European Championship disputed. The 39-year-old goalkeeper marks the end of a golden era, was the last active player in Italy who was champion in Germany 2006.
He was not a man who published his lunch on social networks, nor was he the one who shouted the most on the court. He tried to be low profile, but his constant desire to excel, being a vivid example that quality has no expiration date, made Buffon make noise in the midst of silence. An example of an impeccable race athlete: sparing and respectful. His serenity, without wanting to, transformed him into a natural leader of the Azzurra's wardrobe.
Premise that showed up in his last game wearing the shirt of his country. At the formal ceremonies of the return meeting against Sweden, while the Scandinavian anthem played, the Italian public flooded the stadium with whistles and whistles. Buffon, embarrassed by the attitude of his people, bowed his head and looked at the ground loudly applauded the canticle of his rivals. A gentleman on and off the field.