Champions League would be perfect cherry on Buffon’s career
What would a Champions League title mean to Gianluigi Buffon’s storied career?
Few players are more widely respected than Gianluigi Buffon. The 39-year-old Juventus goalkeeper is a legend in Turin, after 16 years with the Italian giants. He’s won 10 Serie A titles, and the Coppa Italia four times. He lifted the World Cup trophy in 2006 with the Azzurri. He has more caps for Italy than any other player. In fact, he’s the most capped international player in all of European soccer. He’s still going, too.
Buffon has been Serie A’s keeper of the year 11 times. He was UEFA’s club player of the year in 2003. He was even runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 2006. The list of accolades seems almost endless, but there’s one huge prize missing: the Champions League.
Buffon will have a chance to change that on Saturday. Juve will square off in Cardiff against title-holders Real Madrid, hoping to become champions of Europe for the first time since 1996. Buffon has made it to this stage before, coming so close to the continent’s top trophy in 2003 and 2015.
In 2003, it was heartbreak for the budding superstar, as he held a clean sheet through 120 minutes only to lose on penalties to Milan — even though he saved two spot kicks. Then, two years ago, Buffon pulled Juve through a tough semifinal tie with Madrid, only to fall at the hands of Barcelona in the final.
This year must surely be Gigi Buffon’s last chance to fill that hole in his trophy cabinet. He continues to be a world-class keeper at his advanced age, but there can’t be much time left for him to perform at this level. Nonetheless, he’s still (for now, at least) one of Juve’s most important players.
Buffon’s contributions to this memorable Champions League campaign have been crucial. He stopped a penalty in the group stage against Lyon, ensuring a 1-0 away win despite Mario Lemina’s sending off. He saved the day again in the semifinal, stealing sure goals from Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva.
In all, he’s made 20 saves on this run to the final. He helped steer Juventus to a resounding win over Barcelona, not conceding a single goal either at home or at the Nou Camp. This season is no tribute run for an old man; he’s not like John Terry or Wayne Rooney, club legends who don’t feature regularly anymore.
No, Juve (and Italy) still need Buffon. If the Bianconeri win on Saturday, it will certainly not be in spite of him. None of the Juventus players have experienced life without their star keeper’s leadership, which has inspired confidence in a whole host of great defenders. Former Juve player Gianluca Zambrotta recently told ESPN FC about the influence a player like Buffon has on a back line:
“That gives you confidence to play,” he said. “Having someone like him lets you sleep better at night.”
It’s quite possible that, had Buffon and Juve come out on top in 2003 or 2015, he might not still be playing at such a high level. The pursuit of that one final honor might have kept him going all these years. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down, but a victory this weekend could be the moment of career fulfillment he’s been chasing.
This would be an incredible way to do it, too. It’s been a dream season for Juventus, who are looking to win their first ever treble. Buffon led them to a sixth straight Serie A title and a third consecutive Coppa Italia this year, and it would just be perfect if he got his Champions League trophy to cap it off. Such a feat has only been accomplished nine times in Europe, and only once before by an Italian club (Inter in 2010).
Unfortunately, Buffon and Juventus fans can’t start dreaming yet. Real Madrid are no small obstacle, especially with the way Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing in Europe this season. They took care of Atletico Madrid fairly easily in the semifinal, and they will not let up in pursuit of their 12th Champions League title.
Will this be Buffon’s last hurrah? That’s entirely for him to decide, and he could probably keep playing for years. Even if Juve win, he’ll probably be back to try and do it again next year, and he could even have his eye on the 2018 World Cup. If he does reach that promised land in Cardiff, though, there will be little left for him to conquer.
Last weekend we saw Francesco Totti hailed as a king in his retirement celebration at Roma. A similar day is surely coming for Buffon, one year Totti’s junior, but there’s nothing to suggest it’ll be soon. Many current and former players across Europe, from Xavi to Gerard Pique to Antoine Griezmann, would love to see the Italian legend lift the trophy, with some even suggesting he deserves this year’s Ballon d’Or.
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Buffon doesn’t need a Champions League trophy to make his career great. It already is, no question. It would be a perfect cherry on top, though.