The 5 moments that cemented Gianluigi Buffon as the best goalkeeper ever
Shows sportsmanship against Sweden
With Italy needing a win this past November against Sweden to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the crowd at the San Siro in Milan displayed some of the worst unsportsmanlike ever seen prior to the start of the match. As the teams lined up, the crowd began jeering the Swedish national anthem.
While the crowd booed, Buffon was caught on camera wildly clapping with his head bowed in support of the anthem. The classy move, lost on the crowd that night, was typical Buffon. As Italy’s captain, Buffon had displayed great sportsmanship throughout his career. Here he was doing it again.
The Italians went on to be eliminated that evening, missing out on the World Cup for the first time in 60 years. For Buffon, the elimination put an end to his international career and any chance he would ever have to play in one final World Cup. Buffon’s tears after the game encapsulated the feeling of an entire nation.
Buffon did show that even he could lose it sometimes after Real Madrid were awarded a penalty kick at the end of their contentious quarterfinal Champions League match this season. Buffon’s protests led to a red card and his comments after the game drew ire from players, fans and pundits alike.