19 November 2015
On Sunday 19 November at Parma’s Stadio Tardini, a 17-year-old Gianluigi Buffon was making his Serie A debut. The opponents were eventual league champions and (as chance would have it) this Saturday’s visitors at Juventus Stadium, Milan, but that did not stop Buffon from keeping a clean sheet and emerging as one of the best players on the pitch.
The promise shown that day in Emilia Romagna has been well and truly fulfilled in the intervening 20 years, with Buffon writing several famous chapters in footballing history through consistently outstanding performances for both club and country.
Since arriving in Turin as a 23-year-old, Juventus’ and Italy’s captain has proved to be a born-winner, lifting eight Scudetto titles, a Coppa Italia and five Italian Super Cups, while his significant role in the Azzurri’s World Cup triumph in 2006 confirmed his legendary status on an international level.
With each passing year, Buffon continues to go from strength to strength and keeps making match-winning contributions. His stunning saves in the recent Derby della Mole ensured the points belonged to the Bianconeri and everyone associated with Juventus Football Club congratulates their keeper and captain for his two decades at the top of the game.
