Gianluigi Buffon facts for kids

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Gianluigi Buffon
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Buffon with Juventus in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth	(1978-01-28) 28 January 1978 (age 47)
Place of birth	Carrara, Italy
Height	1.92 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Italy (team coordinator)
Youth career
1991–1995	Parma
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1995–2001	Parma	168	(0)
2001–2018	Juventus	509	(0)
2018–2019	Paris Saint-Germain	17	(0)
2019–2021	Juventus	17	(0)
2021–2023	Parma	43	(0)
Total		754	(0)
National team
1993–1994	Italy U16	3	(0)
1995	Italy U17	3	(0)
1994–1995	Italy U18	3	(0)
1995–1997	Italy U21	11	(0)
1997	Italy U23	4	(0)
1997–2018	Italy	176	(0)
Teams managed
2023–	Italy (team coordinator)
Honours Men's football Representing  Italy FIFA World Cup Winner 2006 Germany UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2012 Poland–Ukraine FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2013 Brazil UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 1996 Spain
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon is an Italian former professional footballer. He played as a goalkeeper. Many people think he is one of the greatest goalkeepers ever.

He has played over 1,100 professional games. He holds the record for the most games played in Italy's top league, Serie A.

Buffon started his Serie A career at Parma in 1995. He helped Parma win the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup in 1999. In 2001, he joined Juventus. This was a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper at the time.

At Juventus, he won a record nine Serie A titles. He also won four Coppa Italias and five Supercoppa Italianas. He was the first goalkeeper to win the Serie A Footballer of the Year award. He was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year a record twelve times.

Buffon played in the 2015 and 2017 UEFA Champions League finals. He was named to the Champions League Squad of the Season both times. In 2017, he won the first The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award.

At 40, Buffon joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2018. He won the French league title, Ligue 1, in his only season there. He then returned to Juventus in 2019. In the 2019–20 season, he broke Paolo Maldini's record for most Serie A appearances. He won his tenth Serie A title with Juventus.

In 2021, Buffon returned to his first club, Parma. He played there until he retired from football in 2023 at age 45.

Buffon has played 176 games for Italy. This makes him the most capped goalkeeper ever. He is also Italy's most capped player. He captained the Italian national team from 2010.

He played in five FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was the starting goalkeeper when Italy won the 2006 World Cup. He won the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper in that tournament. He also played in four European Championships. He won a bronze medal at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Buffon was named in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004 by Pelé. He is the only goalkeeper to win the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award. He also won UEFA's best goalkeeper award in 2003. He was runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 2006. He was the first goalkeeper to win the Golden Foot Award. He was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper a record five times.

Early Life and Family

Gianluigi Buffon was born in Carrara, Italy, on January 28, 1978. He comes from a very sporty family. His mother, Maria Stella, was a champion in shot put and discus throw. His father, Adriano, was a weightlifter. His uncle, Dante Masocco, was a professional basketball player. Both of his older sisters, Guendalina and Veronica, were professional volleyball players.

He is also related to Lorenzo Buffon, who was a famous goalkeeper for Milan and Italy. Lorenzo is Gianluigi's second cousin twice removed.

Club Career

Starting at Parma

Youth Years and First Team Debut

Buffon started playing football as a midfielder. He joined the Parma youth team in 1991 when he was 13. He switched to being a goalkeeper because his idol, Thomas N'Kono, inspired him. N'Kono was a great goalkeeper for Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup.

Buffon quickly became the main goalkeeper for Parma's youth team. He made his professional debut for Parma in Serie A on November 19, 1995. He was only 17 years old. In his first game against Milan, he kept a "clean sheet," meaning he didn't let any goals in.

Becoming a Star and Winning Trophies

In the 1996–97 season, Buffon became Parma's main goalkeeper. Parma finished second in Serie A that year. He started getting noticed for his great saves.

In the 1997–98 season, he got the nickname "Superman." This happened after he saved a penalty kick from the famous striker Ronaldo. Buffon showed a Superman T-shirt under his jersey to celebrate.

In his fourth season, 1998–99, Buffon won his first major trophies. He helped Parma win the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia. He was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the first time.

In the next season, he won the Supercoppa Italiana. Parma finished fourth in Serie A for three years in a row. Buffon won the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award again in 2001.

Joining Juventus

Early Success and Dominance

On July 3, 2001, Buffon moved to Juventus. This was a huge transfer fee for a goalkeeper at the time. He became Juventus's number 1 goalkeeper. He chose Juventus because he wanted to win the Italian league title, called the Scudetto.

In his first season with Juventus, 2001–02, he helped them win the Serie A title. Juventus had the best defense in Italy that year. Buffon won his third Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award.

The 2002–03 season was also very successful. Juventus won their second straight Serie A title. They also reached the UEFA Champions League final. They lost to Milan in a penalty shootout, even though Buffon saved two penalties. He was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, which is rare for a goalkeeper. He was also named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for the first time.

In 2003–04, Juventus won the 2003 Supercoppa Italiana. Buffon saved a penalty in the shootout. He was named one of the top 125 greatest living footballers by Pelé in 2004.

The Calciopoli Scandal and Relegation

In 2004–05, Buffon won his third Serie A title with Juventus. He won the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award for the fifth time.

In 2005, he dislocated his shoulder. He returned in January 2006 to help Juventus win their second straight Scudetto. He was named IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for the third time.

In 2006, Juventus was involved in a scandal called Calciopoli. Their last two Serie A titles were taken away. The team was sent down to Serie B, Italy's second division. Many players left, but Buffon chose to stay with Juventus. This made him very popular with the fans.

Return to Serie A and New Era

During the 2006–07 Serie B season, Buffon played in Serie B. Juventus won the Serie B title and returned to Serie A. Buffon signed a new contract until 2012. He was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for a record fourth time in 2007.

In the 2007–08 season, Juventus finished third in Serie A. Buffon was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the seventh time. He started having back problems around this time.

Juventus had some tough seasons after returning to Serie A. Buffon often missed games due to injuries. Despite this, he remained loyal to the club. In 2010, he was voted goalkeeper of the decade by IFFHS.

Dominance in Serie A (2011–2018)

Under new manager Antonio Conte, Juventus became strong again in the 2011–12 season. Buffon was in great form. Juventus won their first Scudetto since the scandal, finishing the season unbeaten. Buffon kept 21 clean sheets and only let in 16 goals in 35 games. This was a personal best for him.

Buffon (top right) with Juventus in 2013

In 2012, Buffon became the new Juventus captain after Alessandro Del Piero left. He led Juventus to win the 2012 Supercoppa Italiana. Juventus continued to win Serie A titles, with Buffon lifting the trophy as captain.

In 2013–14, Juventus set a record with 102 points in Serie A. Buffon made his 500th appearance in Serie A. He saved his 20th career penalty. Juventus won their third straight Serie A title.

Second Champions League Final and Record Breaking Streak

In 2014–15, Juventus reached the Champions League final again. They lost to Barcelona 3-1. Buffon made the most saves in the tournament. He won his first Coppa Italia title with Juventus that season.

Buffon playing for Juventus in 2014

In 2015–16, Buffon set a new Serie A record. He went 974 minutes without letting in a goal. This is the longest unbeaten streak for a goalkeeper in Serie A history. He also kept 10 consecutive clean sheets, another record. Juventus won their fifth straight Serie A title.

More Titles and Final Juventus Season

Buffon warming up before the 2016 Supercoppa Italiana

In 2016, Buffon became the first goalkeeper to win the Golden Foot Award. He played his 600th Serie A game. Juventus won their sixth consecutive Serie A title in 2016–17. This was a new record for successive wins. Buffon won his eighth Serie A title, equaling another record.

Juventus reached the Champions League final for the third time in Buffon's career. They lost to Real Madrid 4-1. Buffon was named the best goalkeeper of the Champions League season.

In 2017–18, Buffon won the first The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award. He also won the Serie A Footballer of the Year award, the first goalkeeper to do so. He won his record twelfth Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award.

He won his fourth consecutive Coppa Italia title with Juventus. On May 13, 2018, he won his record seventh straight Scudetto. This made him the first player to win nine Serie A titles. On May 19, 2018, Buffon played his 656th and final game for Juventus in his first spell. He received a standing ovation from the fans.

Time at Paris Saint-Germain

Buffon (right) warming up with Paris Saint-Germain in 2019

On July 6, 2018, Buffon signed with Paris Saint-Germain in France. He won the 2018 Trophée des Champions and the Ligue 1 title in his only season there. He kept his 50th Champions League clean sheet with PSG. He left the club in June 2019.

Return to Juventus

Buffon with Juventus in 2019

On July 4, 2019, Buffon returned to Juventus. He chose to wear the number 77 shirt. He broke Paolo Maldini's record for most career club appearances by an Italian player. He also became the most capped player in Serie A history.

In the 2019–20 season, he won his tenth Serie A title with Juventus. This was another record. He also won his sixth Coppa Italia title in 2021, equaling Roberto Mancini's record. On May 11, 2021, Buffon announced he would leave Juventus again.

Back to Parma and Retirement

On June 17, 2021, Buffon returned to his first club, Parma. He played in Serie B for two more seasons. On February 5, 2022, he became the first goalkeeper in men's football to keep 500 clean sheets.

On August 2, 2023, at the age of 45, Gianluigi Buffon announced his retirement from professional football. He had played for 28 years.

International Career

Youth Teams and Early Senior Call-ups

Buffon with the Italy national team in 1998

Buffon played for all of Italy's youth teams. He won the 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with the Italy U21 team. He also won a gold medal at the 1997 Mediterranean Games.

He made his debut for the senior Italy national team on October 29, 1997. He was only 19 years old. He helped Italy qualify for the 1998 World Cup. He was part of the 1998 World Cup squad but did not play.

Buffon was supposed to be the starting goalkeeper for Euro 2000. However, he broke his hand just before the tournament.

World Cup and European Championship Debuts

Buffon became Italy's main goalkeeper for the 2002 World Cup. He kept a clean sheet in the first game. He saved a penalty in the Round of 16, but Italy was eliminated. He also played in Euro 2004, where Italy was knocked out early.

2006 FIFA World Cup Champion

Buffon with Italy during the 2006 World Cup

Buffon was the starting goalkeeper for Italy at the 2006 World Cup. He was in amazing form. He only let in two goals in seven matches. He kept five clean sheets, which was a World Cup record. He went 453 minutes without letting in a goal. The only goals he conceded were an own goal and a penalty.

In the final against France, Buffon made a crucial save from Zinedine Zidane's header. Italy won the match in a penalty shootout. Buffon was awarded the Yashin Award as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. He was also named to the World Cup All-Star Team.

Italy Captain and Euro 2012 Runner-up

Buffon became Italy's captain in 2010. He led Italy to qualify for Euro 2012 without losing a game.

Buffon playing for Italy against Spain in the UEFA Euro 2012 final

At Euro 2012, Buffon captained the team. He saved a key penalty in the quarter-final shootout against England. Italy reached the final but lost to Spain. Buffon was again named to the Team of the Tournament.

2014 World Cup and Euro 2016

Buffon played in the 2013 Confederations Cup. He saved three penalties in the third-place match against Uruguay, helping Italy win a bronze medal.

On September 10, 2013, Buffon equaled Fabio Cannavaro's record for most appearances for Italy. Italy qualified for the 2014 World Cup. Buffon became one of only three players to be part of five World Cup squads. Italy was eliminated in the group stage.

Buffon captained Italy at Euro 2016. He kept three clean sheets in the tournament. Italy beat Spain in the Round of 16. They lost to Germany in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout.

Retirement from International Football

Having represented his country a record 176 times, Buffon is the most capped player in Italian history.

On March 24, 2017, Buffon played his 1,000th career game. He also became the most capped European player at international level with 168 appearances.

His 175th international game was on November 13, 2017. Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. This was the first time in 60 years. After the match, an emotional Buffon announced his retirement from international football. He later played one more friendly game in March 2018 before officially confirming his retirement.

Player Profile

Legacy and Impact

Gianluigi Buffon is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Some even call him the greatest ever. He is known for his amazing saves and leadership.

In 2016, France Football magazine named him the greatest goalkeeper in history. He was also voted the UEFA Champions League's greatest goalkeeper in an online poll.

Buffon always wore short-sleeved jerseys, even in winter. He said he did it for comfort and it became a trend.

After Retirement

Role with FIGC

After retiring from playing, Buffon was appointed as the head of delegation for the Italy national team on August 5, 2023. This role was previously held by the late Gianluca Vialli.

In August 2024, Buffon received the UEFA President's Award for his contributions to football.

Outside of Football

Personal Life and Interests

Buffon comes from a family of athletes. His parents were athletes, and his sisters and uncle played professional sports. He is a Catholic.

He has three sons: Louis Thomas, David Lee, and Leopoldo Mattia. Louis Thomas was named after Buffon's idol, Thomas N'Kono.

Buffon has written an autobiography called Numero 1 (Number 1). In it, he shared that he experienced depression early in his career. He visited a psychologist and overcame it without medication.

He is allergic to wasp stings. In his youth, he supported several football clubs, including his hometown club Carrarese. He was even a member of their fan group, the "Commando Ultrà Indian Tips."

Other Ventures

Buffon has been involved in various activities outside of playing. He was elected vice-president of the Italian Footballers' Association (AIC) in 2012.

He has had endorsement deals with companies like Puma and Pepsi. He also appeared on the cover of the Italian edition of the PES 2008 video game.

Buffon has also been involved in business. He owned shares in his hometown club Carrarese and later became its sole owner for a time. He also invested in a textile company. In 2017, he launched his own wine brand called "Buffon #1."

He is also known for his charity work. He has auctioned off his captain's armband for charity. In 2012, he joined UEFA's "Respect Diversity" Programme to fight discrimination in football. In 2019, he became a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the World Food Programme.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honours

Parma

• Coppa Italia: 1998–99
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1999
• UEFA Cup: 1998–99

Juventus

• Serie A: 2001–02, 2002–03, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20
• Serie B: 2006–07
• Coppa Italia: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2020
• UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2002–03, 2014–15, 2016–17

Paris Saint-Germain

• Ligue 1: 2018–19
• Trophée des Champions: 2018

Italy U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1996
• Mediterranean Games: 1997

Italy

• FIFA World Cup: 2006
• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2012

Individual

• Bravo Award: 1999
• Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year Award: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year: 2002–03
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2002–03
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2006, 2016, 2017
• IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2017
• FIFA 100
• FIFA World Cup Yashin Award: 2006
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2006
• FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2006, 2007, 2017
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2008, 2012
• IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of the Decade 2001–2010
• IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of the 21st Century 2001–2020
• IFFHS Best Goalkeeper of the Past 25 Years: 1987–2012
• Serie A Team of the Year: 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• Pallone Azzurro: 2013, 2016
• UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2013–14
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2014–15, 2016–17
• Juventus MVP of the Year: 2015–16
• Golden Foot: 2016
• Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2016–17
• The Best FIFA Goalkeeper: 2017
• UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season: 2016–17
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2017
• Juventus Greatest XI of All Time: 2017
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Silver): 2020
• UEFA President's Award: 2024

Records

• Most appearances in Serie A: 657
• Most appearances for Juventus in Serie A: 489
• Most appearances for Juventus in Italian League matches (includes Serie A and Serie B): 526
• Most appearances for Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana: 8
• Most appearances for Juventus in the UEFA Champions League: 117 (including 4 in the qualifying rounds)
• Most appearances for Juventus in UEFA club competitions: 126
• Most career club appearances by an Italian player: 975
• Most appearances in Europe's top five leagues: 674 (657 in Serie A and 17 in Ligue 1)
• Most appearances for Italy senior team: 176
• Most appearances as captain for Italy senior team: 80
• Most appearances by a goalkeeper at the UEFA European Championship: 17
• Joint-fewest goals conceded in a single FIFA World Cup edition by a starting World Cup winning goalkeeper: 2 goals in 7 appearances at the 2006 World Cup
• Longest consecutive run without conceding a goal in a single Serie A season: 974 minutes in 2015–16
• Most consecutive clean sheets in a single Serie A season: 10 in 2015–16
• Joint-most clean sheets in a single Serie A season: 21 in 2011–12 and 2015–16
• One of only eight players to take part in five FIFA World Cups: 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014
• Most clean sheets by an individual goalkeeper in all-time: 501
• Most clean sheets for Italy senior team: 77
• Most clean sheets in Serie A: 299
• Most clean sheets by a goalkeeper in men's association football: 505
• Third-most clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League: 53
• Most appearances in the UEFA Champions League by an Italian player: 124
• Third-longest consecutive run without conceding a goal in the UEFA Champions League: 690 minutes in 2016–17
• Most UEFA Champions League final appearances without a victory: 3
• Third-most senior international appearances by a European footballer: 176
• Only goalkeeper to ever win the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year Award: 2003
• Most Serie A titles won by a player: 10 (all with Juventus)
• Joint-most Supercoppa Italiana titles: 6 (1 with Parma and 5 with Juventus)
• Joint-most Coppa Italia titles: 6 (1 with Parma and 5 with Juventus)
• Most Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year awards: 13
• Joint-most IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper Awards: 5
• Most Top 3 IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper Awards: 14
• Most Pallone Azzurro Awards: 2
• Most titles won with Juventus: 21

Orders

• 
  CONI: Golden Collar of Sports Merit: 2006

• 
  4th Class / Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2006