Buffon, Gianluigi (1978-…), is an Italian professional soccer player. Soccer is called football in much of the world. Buffon is one of the greatest goalkeepers in soccer history. In Serie A, Italy’s top league, he has been named Goalkeeper of the Year multiple times. He is also the only goalkeeper to have won the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Club Footballer of the Year (now the Best Player in Europe ) award. Buffon won the Yashin Award (now the Golden Glove Award) for best goalkeeper during Italy’s 2006 FIFA World Cup championship. FIFA stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football). FIFA is soccer’s world governing body. Buffon has appeared in more games for the Italian national team, commonly known as Gli Azzurri (The Blues), than any other player. The outstanding shot-blocker is sometimes known by the nicknames “Gigi” and “Superman.” For a discussion of soccer positions and formations, see Soccer (Players and officials).
Buffon was born on Jan. 28, 1978, in Carrara, Tuscany . His parents were athletes, and his grandfather’s cousin, Lorenzo Buffon, was also a professional goalkeeper. As a youth, Gianluigi Buffon played as a midfielder before switching positions.
Buffon began his professional soccer career in 1995 with Parma FC in Emilia-Romagna . FC stands for football club. He made his first appearance with the Azzurri in 1997 and was a back-up goalkeeper during the 1998 World Cup. He won the first of his Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 1999. In 2001, Buffon began a long career at Juventus FC in Turin , Piedmont .
Buffon started at goalkeeper for the Azzurri in the World Cup in 2002. He won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award in 2003. In 2006, he helped lead Italy to victory over France for the World Cup title.
Buffon was injured in 2010, as Italy was knocked out in the group stage of the World Cup. Later that year, he was named Azzurri team captain. In 2012, Buffon became team captain for Juventus as well. Buffon again started at goalkeeper for Italy in the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. In 2018, he left Juventus to play for Paris Saint-Germain FC in France . Buffon returned to Juventus in 2019, after playing for one year in France. In 2021, Buffon returned to Parma.
