Buffon infinite – The Province of Pavia Pavia

the interview

SENT TO PARMA

A novel that spanned 1,131 games, 501 completed without conceding a goal: the first at the age of 17 against Milan, the last in a very open series at 44 against Reggina, always with the Parma shirt. In between 10 league titles with Juventus, Ligue1 won with PSG, the World Cup raised in Berlin, a unique collection of records and trophies, Serie B accepted and won in black and white that he considers among the most beautiful medals. Gigi Buffon, from the goal, saw football and the world change: the counterattack is called a restart, the playstation has retired billiards in the retreats, the ball has become technological and he is always there to grab it, deflect it, reject it.

Buffon, how do you stop time?

«The secret is to feel pride inside, the desire to be special. I never wanted to feel ordinary, monotony bores me and I am an enemy of clichés: I believe that others put limits on you and you end up following them. I go further with enthusiasm, obviously comforted by the feedback from the field ».

He has just renewed his contract: he will play until at least 46 years old.

“Parma have shown me confidence: at my age, usually, every day is an exam.”

To hope for the sixth World Cup, absolute record, she will have to blow out 48 candles.

“If Italy had qualified, I don’t think I would have been called up. Meritocracy is on my side, but there are other issues to be given precedence and respect: considering the choices made in recent years, that’s right “.

It is the second World Cup in a row without Italy.

«Already in 2010 in South Africa, after the elimination with Slovakia, I observed that globalization was changing values ​​and hierarchies and that we should also start celebrating the qualifications. Since then we have had illusions, moments of glory like the European Championship, but I wasn’t wrong: in difficulties we know how to block and go over the top, but when there is calm we lack quality and bravado ».

Right to go ahead with Mancini?

«He was the main architect of the renaissance he experienced with the European, but after such a blow he has some responsibility too. There is a way and way to get out, if you lose on penalties with Portugal no one can blame you, after the fall with North Macedonia it is harder to start again ».

Cannavaro was struck by the resignation.

“I agree and from a certain point of view I am pleased: years ago we would have witnessed media pillories, so I note a growth in civic sense in the soft criticisms. Obviously, beyond the reactions, I hope that those who occupy top positions in football will find the anger and the solutions to restart ».

Donnarumma, his heir, was also targeted …

“Time and performance will ease everything. Of course, after moments like this no smudging is allowed anymore, but we’ve all been through it ».

A name for the restart?

“Tonali. I was struck by her growth ».

Did you run three or four for the Scudetto?

“We are witnessing a sui generis championship, usually one team dominates and others annoy it: the one that seemed to dominate was Inter, but then it had several empty passes, it relaunched by winning in Turin and now I see it as the favorite again”.

Juve lost a chance.

«If he had won, he would be fighting in turn, but this is the championship of regrets. Even Atalanta, with the pace of previous years, could have aspired to the title ».

Aesthetes or resultatists: who do you side with?

“I was a convinced resultatista, today I don’t have an answer: it depends on the human material, on the responsibilities and objectives, on what the club asks of the coach.”

Is Allegri the right man to rebuild Juventus?

“The camp says the group is improving.”

Which strikers impress you today?

«Vlahovic is dominated by physique, quality, strength, anger. I like Zapata and Lautaro. And Ibrahimovic who at 40 can still win alone ».

Dybala will leave Juve …

«I didn’t expect it, but the company was honest, direct, explaining that it is no longer functional to the project. They have not renewed his contract for this, certainly not because they consider it scarce: Paulo will find the opportunity to do great things elsewhere ».

What does this return to Serie B with Parma leave you?

«A little pissed off because things didn’t go as we thought: let’s say it was a useful year to take aim. And then confirmations that I was looking for, fun, strong emotions. Unpublished opponents and stadiums such as Terni, Cittadella, Cosenza. In the end, there isn’t that much difference between A and B ».

Which game would you like to relive?

«Real Madrid-Juventus 1-3, that of Ronaldo’s penalty in extremis. We left the Champions League, but I felt incredible emotions, I felt proud to be captain of that Juve ».

Martin Turk, his deputy, was born in 2003: what’s it like in a kids’ locker room?

«He came into the world and I lost the Champions League final with Milan. It is important to understand where you are, with whom you need to relate. I would not get involved by tainting with old wise man’s speeches: I focus on example and, to create empathy, on sharing even banalities, such as the game of morra ».

You said: “With my head I am already beyond football”.

«I have many interests and I feel satisfied when I learn new things. In the last few months I have started studying English again. I talked about it with Ilaria: knowledge gives me energy and well-being ».

He defined Ilaria “Wife, partner and friend”.

“We always find ways to be happy. We know how to smile and joke. In addition to attraction, there is sharing ».

Are your children Louis Thomas, David Lee and Leopoldo Mattia already wearing boxing gloves?

«They are all inclined to sport. Louis Thomas is 15 years old and has been a goalkeeper for a couple of years: he lacks that hint of healthy arrogance that helps in the role ».

In recent days, she met Vlad, 12, a Ukrainian goalkeeper who fled the war who dreamed of knowing her.

“It was an intense moment, one of those in which I understand I’m lucky because with nothing I have the power to make a child happy.” –

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