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Gianluigi Buffon: The first time for an Italian goalkeeper in his forties

The legendary goalkeeper, former Juventus, is the first Italian player of that position who is part of the ranks of Paris Saint Germain

Gianluigi Buffon: The first time for an Italian goalkeeper in his forties

The Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will live his first experience outside his country by becoming a new player of Paris Saint Germain of France. This is the first time that a legendary Italian goalkeeper arrives at the French League with the aim of leaving a legacy, at 40 years old.

Fantastic goalkeepers of the 'Azzurra' as Dino Zoff or Walter Zenga were not in another European League that was not the one of their country. Buffon has the goal of getting the only title he needs in his career which is the Champions League that PSG also pursues.

Leer en español: La primera vez del portero italiano 'cuarentón' Gianluigi Buffon

In statements registered by El horizonte, the soccer player said in his presentation that he wanted to meet new cultures and make more friends. He added that he is 40 years old, he wanted to give himself a new air in his life and therefore, he wants the PSG to improve in the field and maintain the ambitions of previous seasons.

His first experience outside of Italy

After 27 years in his country, 10 with Parma and 17 with Juventus of Turin, the goalkeeper changed his face in his brilliant career. Buffon told Skysports that in Turin he was in a comfort zone and that he wanted to challenge himself with a new experience.

He added in the same interview that he liked to see in the practices that his classmates spoke a different language and that these are elements that will help him to progress. This is the first occasion in which a legendary goalkeeper of the 'azzurra' arrives at the League of France, because others of great renown did not do it.

For example, Dino Zoff played for Udinese, Mantova and Juventus, while Gianluca Pagliuca did for Bologna, Sampdoria, Genoa and Inter. In turn, Walter Zenga was with Inter Milan, Sampdoria, Padova and finished his MLS career with the New England Revolution jersey.

A common goal

The great desire of Paris Saint Germain is to get the title of the Champions League of Europe, a trophy that Buffon lacks in his successful showcase. In comments published by ESPN, Buffon said that "the Champions League title is not an obsession, but it is an interesting trophy".

This brilliant archer played the Champions League finals of the seasons 2003, 2015 and 2017, and could never get the long-awaited title. He will not act on the first three games of this traditional European competition, after a punishment he received. The Italian added in his presentation that he respects this sanction, and that his decision to come to the French box has nothing to do with this.

Maybe you're interested in reading: Cristiano Ronaldo: Can he give back to the Italian League the glory he experienced in the 80s and 90s?

Companion of an archrival

In his new cast, 'Gigi' will be a teammate of the son of a player who had the opportunity to face in the beginning with the Parma of Italy. This is Timothy Weah, descendant of the legendary George Weah, who was a figure with AC Milan and who is currently the president of Liberia.

According to a publication in the Ole newspaper, the goalkeeper debuted with Parma when he was 17 years old against Milan, where Weah appeared. That encounter was transcendental in the good performance of Gigi since it removed several balls of goal to him to Weah in a game that finished 0-0.

Reunion with a compatriot

After his new adventure in the Parisian eleventh, 'Superman' will share costumes with his compatriot Marco Verratti, figure of the cast. Both Verratti and Buffon have had the opportunity to be part of the Italian National Football Team and hope to give their contribution to Paris Saint Germain. Buffon said in a publication published by El País, which has a great sense of happiness and was encouraged by the ambition of the project.

 

LatinAmerican Post | Daniel Cuevas

Translated from "La primera vez del portero italiano 'cuarentón' Gianluigi Buffon"

 

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