Gigi Buffon: Football has made me a better guy
Here are our vip soccer tips today.
Legendary goalkeeper of Italy and Juventus Gianluigi Buffon has announced he will leave Torino after the season but currently does not plan to give up football. The 40-year-old guard said his intentions at a special press conference today, and shortly thereafter, The Players' Tribune released a large piece of material in which Gerard Pique of Barcelona interviewed his longtime rival.
Gerard Pique: Gigi, thank you for meeting me here in Turin. They read a lot about you. I have read that your parents and sisters are also athletes.
Gianluigi Buffon: Yes, I come from a sports family. I've always known that sport is my future, from a small one. My mom and dad competed at a good level in athletics, and my two sisters played volleyball in the first division. One of them even won the Volleyball Champions League, unlike me. As the smallest in the family of famous athletes, I wanted to prove my skills and show them that I can. I'm lucky I played football and I became a goalkeeper.
Q: What is your first football memory since childhood?
B: My first memory? I think I was the 4th World Title of Italy since 1982.
P: I have not been born yet!
B: I was too young to understand the World Cup, but I remember that all the adults gathered around the TV, supporting Italy. I kicked out and realized that I like to play with the ball. I spent my afternoons playing football and listening to the joyous shouts from within.
Tottenham - Juventus + 51
P: You start at Parma and you play your first game at 17 against AC Milan without a goal.
B: Yes.
P: The Dream of Every Goalkeeper.
B: Yes.
Q: What was the feeling of being so young and being the champion of such an important team as Parma, one of the best clubs in Italy at that time?
B: In the mid-1990s, over a period of about 10 years, Parma was among the best in Europe. For 10 years, they have won the UEFA Cup twice, the Italian Cup, the UEFA Super Cup. It was a team of the highest level. The match was important. We were in the league and we had equal points with Milan, who had great champions: Baghdos, Wea, Savicevic, Maldini. I was only 17 years old and I had to play. In the morning, I was told that I would play and I'm proud of not being afraid. I remember that I was very happy because Buffon had a chance to show the world who he is and a good goalkeeper. I connect this decisive game with joy.
Dibala and Juventus beat Lazio in the last second + 40
P: Then you debut on Italy on 19. In Russia.
B: Cesare Maldini was calling me for the fifth or sixth time, but I had not played yet because the other goalies were Perucci and Paliuka and they deserved more. These are the qualifications for the World Cup in France. We played with Russia in Moscow. In the 25th minute, Paliuca hit the knee and had to get out. I was an enthusiastic kid who was not afraid of anything. But when I went in, it was not so much fun because the course was covered in snow. It was such an important match to Italy's ranking. I started to warm up and went in two minutes later. Already on the field, I was very concentrated. Fear left me and I was focused on the limits of my ability. Five minutes after my entry, Russia had a great chance of a goal, and I made a great rescue on my left side, with which I already entered the game.
P: You will come to history as one of the five world championships. The other two are Matthew and ... yes, a Mexican.
B: Mexican goalkeeper.
Q: How do you feel?
B: Okay. Gord. The road was long. There is a lot to be done in order to always be in the condition.
P: A lot of work?
B: Talent is needed, but also devotion, ready to suffer at times. But it's worth it and it pays off. We played very little at five. It was nice to play two in Europe, one in Asia, one in Africa and one in America.
I had not realized it before.
B: I played on every continent. It would have been special to participate in the Sixth World, but sometimes you should be pleased with what you have. I did not have the courage to play in the sixth league.
P: In all the years you played for Italy, you were probably the happiest in 2006 when you became world champion. What do you remember? How did he feel?
B: Experience in Germany was special for all Italians, it was not just a victory. There were many Italian immigrants who made us feel like playing at home. I remember the great happiness, the festivities, the emotional support. We were never alone. I have two amazing memories, the semi-final against Germany in Dortmund.
P: 2-0.
B: Two-on-one, but one of the most nervous games in my life. When I remember now, I feel bad. How can someone deal with such tension and emotion? It was a terrible Germany. Then we won 2-0 in extra time. We returned to the hotel at 5 am and there were 10,000 people waiting for us!
Juventus - Barcelona 0: 0 + 21
P: Unbelievable.
B: The particular thing in the case was that after the victory over Germany we were calm, as if we had already won. It was madness.
P: It is not easy to get to the final and celebrate as if you were already a world champion.
B: It was crazy. Twelve years later I return to France and realize how strong they were. We thought we had won, and we were going to have a very strong team match. Team that motivates you to think you can win against everyone if you win against them. We were in a series. We were not afraid, and we believed we could beat anyone. Surprisingly, against France I was not so nervous, and that was the final! I slept six or seven hours before Germany against just two before France. I remember your inconvenience, the strong emotions, it was hard to rest. I remember that right after the victory I could not be happy - because we had given so much energy and emotion. The joy of the world title came much later.
Juventus - Sporting + 25
P: Then there was South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, and Italy did not perform well, then you did not qualify for the Mondiale 2018. Do you think that calcio, Italian football, needs a revaluation and a different decision to be able to return to the top.
B: I think ... something is wrong. I can not believe we have not as much talent as before. When I joined the national team, there were Badjo, Del Piero, Totti, Indzagi, Montela, Vieres - great, talented footballers. In the last 10 years, Italy had a good team. We are not bad, but without a certain kind of players, results are difficult to achieve. Pride and sense of belonging have definitely improved over the last decade. We were not brilliant, but we played at Euro 2012 at Euro 2016. Pride helps us more than we think.
Q: Lack of enough talent?
B: Yes, Serie A may be at a lower level, but if you create good players, they go to Pari Saint-Germain or Real Madrid. The national team remains high. But, apart from Marco Verrat, who plays for PSG, we do not have players, I exclude Juventus, who play for big teams in Europe. This is the problem.
Barcelona - Juventus 3: 0 + 30
When talking about Juventus, turning point in your career is going to Serie B when you decide to stay in the club. It seemed that everything was dictated by love for the club. But also a huge risk. You could choose to play elsewhere, win the Champions League, but chose to continue in Series B. What happened there? Was it the right decision?
B: I was happy with this decision. because I think some men, some players, can give hope to the fans through their actions. It was like someone like me to make it clear that players also have feelings and there are more important things than popularity and money. I would do it again. We won the Serie B title. It was a fun year. But after two good years, there were several bad things that Juventus was unrecognizable. We finished sixth, even seven, and then I was wondering why I chose this. But quietly because I'm a positive person and an optimist. I believe that healthy work and proper behavior always pay off. I've always said it. Six years later and again with the title I was so happy. The choice was difficult. Six difficult years. When you are used to winning, six years with very few matches in the Champions League .... And in European tournaments at all ... It's not easy. But with a little effort, everything went well and we returned.
Q: Have you thought of leaving in this period? Is it surprising that for his 23-year career he only played for two teams, and in Italy. Have not you thought of going abroad?
B: I would like it because it means to be around other people, a different way of life, thinking. It sounded enticing. But deep inside I feel real Italian. I know that Italy has its limits, but the world I know here makes me smile and I like it. As a sports figure I have not left the country and I do not want to do it, as long as I do not have to.
P: You play professionally for over 20 years. Football is changing a lot, and as a goalkeeper you see your colleagues playing more and more with their feet. This is something more common in your position, but you do not seem to need it.
B: This is a positive change for me because it means that football is getting better. More interesting and less time is lost. I personally think this innovation has made me better. Because all gatekeepers use their feet and use them differently. You have to be able to kick, move on terrain, it's harder than before. It's good for me because I'm 40 and I'm still playing. Because I like to compete and embrace.
P: A few months ago he said this was probably your last year. But I spoke to Giorgio Cielini and he told me that Buffon was not ready to finish. Are there any news? Am I missing something? Will we look at Buffon for another two years?
B: No surprises. At my age, you have to judge the situation month to month, week to week, constantly. Because for professional athletes like you and me, who have always played on a level, it is very important to do our best. To be physically prepared because pride does not allow for poor results. I'm Buffon and I want to be myself until the last minute. When I no longer feel that I am myself, I will leave. I am happy. I like to play. The day I can no longer do it is no problem. Anyway, I had a wonderful career.
Championship start for Juventus + 30
Q: Are you afraid of quitting? Still, for a long time, you were a professional than anything else. Are you afraid of leaving and starting a new life that's unknown to you?
B: I'll lie if I say I'm not afraid. But I am deep within myself because I am curious by nature. The day I stop playing football will find myself bored and doing something. However, players like us need a reason to wake up in the morning and move on. My only problem would be that I woke up every morning and everything was organized. I had a schedule. And when you have 24 hours ahead of you and you have nothing to do in them, that could be a problem.
Q: Will you stay in the profession? Is there a role he could play after the end of his career?
B: I would like to take courses for a manager, a manager, a coach and then choose the right thing. Without hurry.
P: And last - he said that football made you a better person. What would you be if you did not play football?
B: I would certainly be worse as a person. I would probably be a teacher of physical education, like my parents. I was heading in that direction. I like to be around children, I like to do sports. But football made me better because I always put the group first. It's nice to be part of a group, a team. It makes you less selfish. I find this really beautiful. Being a bigger altruist and sharing with others is the best thing in this life.
P: As a player, I know that football is better when you're around. It was an honor to talk to you. Do you know when I was 21 I had to choose between Barcelona and Juventus? We could be teammates.
B: Really?
P: Yes, thank you very much!
B: Thank you!
Hope our vip soccer tips today are useful for you.
Legendary goalkeeper of Italy and Juventus Gianluigi Buffon has announced he will leave Torino after the season but currently does not plan to give up football. The 40-year-old guard said his intentions at a special press conference today, and shortly thereafter, The Players' Tribune released a large piece of material in which Gerard Pique of Barcelona interviewed his longtime rival.
Gerard Pique: Gigi, thank you for meeting me here in Turin. They read a lot about you. I have read that your parents and sisters are also athletes.
Gianluigi Buffon: Yes, I come from a sports family. I've always known that sport is my future, from a small one. My mom and dad competed at a good level in athletics, and my two sisters played volleyball in the first division. One of them even won the Volleyball Champions League, unlike me. As the smallest in the family of famous athletes, I wanted to prove my skills and show them that I can. I'm lucky I played football and I became a goalkeeper.
Q: What is your first football memory since childhood?
B: My first memory? I think I was the 4th World Title of Italy since 1982.
P: I have not been born yet!
B: I was too young to understand the World Cup, but I remember that all the adults gathered around the TV, supporting Italy. I kicked out and realized that I like to play with the ball. I spent my afternoons playing football and listening to the joyous shouts from within.
Tottenham - Juventus + 51
P: You start at Parma and you play your first game at 17 against AC Milan without a goal.
B: Yes.
P: The Dream of Every Goalkeeper.
B: Yes.
Q: What was the feeling of being so young and being the champion of such an important team as Parma, one of the best clubs in Italy at that time?
B: In the mid-1990s, over a period of about 10 years, Parma was among the best in Europe. For 10 years, they have won the UEFA Cup twice, the Italian Cup, the UEFA Super Cup. It was a team of the highest level. The match was important. We were in the league and we had equal points with Milan, who had great champions: Baghdos, Wea, Savicevic, Maldini. I was only 17 years old and I had to play. In the morning, I was told that I would play and I'm proud of not being afraid. I remember that I was very happy because Buffon had a chance to show the world who he is and a good goalkeeper. I connect this decisive game with joy.
Dibala and Juventus beat Lazio in the last second + 40
P: Then you debut on Italy on 19. In Russia.
B: Cesare Maldini was calling me for the fifth or sixth time, but I had not played yet because the other goalies were Perucci and Paliuka and they deserved more. These are the qualifications for the World Cup in France. We played with Russia in Moscow. In the 25th minute, Paliuca hit the knee and had to get out. I was an enthusiastic kid who was not afraid of anything. But when I went in, it was not so much fun because the course was covered in snow. It was such an important match to Italy's ranking. I started to warm up and went in two minutes later. Already on the field, I was very concentrated. Fear left me and I was focused on the limits of my ability. Five minutes after my entry, Russia had a great chance of a goal, and I made a great rescue on my left side, with which I already entered the game.
P: You will come to history as one of the five world championships. The other two are Matthew and ... yes, a Mexican.
B: Mexican goalkeeper.
Q: How do you feel?
B: Okay. Gord. The road was long. There is a lot to be done in order to always be in the condition.
P: A lot of work?
B: Talent is needed, but also devotion, ready to suffer at times. But it's worth it and it pays off. We played very little at five. It was nice to play two in Europe, one in Asia, one in Africa and one in America.
I had not realized it before.
B: I played on every continent. It would have been special to participate in the Sixth World, but sometimes you should be pleased with what you have. I did not have the courage to play in the sixth league.
P: In all the years you played for Italy, you were probably the happiest in 2006 when you became world champion. What do you remember? How did he feel?
B: Experience in Germany was special for all Italians, it was not just a victory. There were many Italian immigrants who made us feel like playing at home. I remember the great happiness, the festivities, the emotional support. We were never alone. I have two amazing memories, the semi-final against Germany in Dortmund.
P: 2-0.
B: Two-on-one, but one of the most nervous games in my life. When I remember now, I feel bad. How can someone deal with such tension and emotion? It was a terrible Germany. Then we won 2-0 in extra time. We returned to the hotel at 5 am and there were 10,000 people waiting for us!
Juventus - Barcelona 0: 0 + 21
P: Unbelievable.
B: The particular thing in the case was that after the victory over Germany we were calm, as if we had already won. It was madness.
P: It is not easy to get to the final and celebrate as if you were already a world champion.
B: It was crazy. Twelve years later I return to France and realize how strong they were. We thought we had won, and we were going to have a very strong team match. Team that motivates you to think you can win against everyone if you win against them. We were in a series. We were not afraid, and we believed we could beat anyone. Surprisingly, against France I was not so nervous, and that was the final! I slept six or seven hours before Germany against just two before France. I remember your inconvenience, the strong emotions, it was hard to rest. I remember that right after the victory I could not be happy - because we had given so much energy and emotion. The joy of the world title came much later.
Juventus - Sporting + 25
P: Then there was South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, and Italy did not perform well, then you did not qualify for the Mondiale 2018. Do you think that calcio, Italian football, needs a revaluation and a different decision to be able to return to the top.
B: I think ... something is wrong. I can not believe we have not as much talent as before. When I joined the national team, there were Badjo, Del Piero, Totti, Indzagi, Montela, Vieres - great, talented footballers. In the last 10 years, Italy had a good team. We are not bad, but without a certain kind of players, results are difficult to achieve. Pride and sense of belonging have definitely improved over the last decade. We were not brilliant, but we played at Euro 2012 at Euro 2016. Pride helps us more than we think.
Q: Lack of enough talent?
B: Yes, Serie A may be at a lower level, but if you create good players, they go to Pari Saint-Germain or Real Madrid. The national team remains high. But, apart from Marco Verrat, who plays for PSG, we do not have players, I exclude Juventus, who play for big teams in Europe. This is the problem.
Barcelona - Juventus 3: 0 + 30
When talking about Juventus, turning point in your career is going to Serie B when you decide to stay in the club. It seemed that everything was dictated by love for the club. But also a huge risk. You could choose to play elsewhere, win the Champions League, but chose to continue in Series B. What happened there? Was it the right decision?
B: I was happy with this decision. because I think some men, some players, can give hope to the fans through their actions. It was like someone like me to make it clear that players also have feelings and there are more important things than popularity and money. I would do it again. We won the Serie B title. It was a fun year. But after two good years, there were several bad things that Juventus was unrecognizable. We finished sixth, even seven, and then I was wondering why I chose this. But quietly because I'm a positive person and an optimist. I believe that healthy work and proper behavior always pay off. I've always said it. Six years later and again with the title I was so happy. The choice was difficult. Six difficult years. When you are used to winning, six years with very few matches in the Champions League .... And in European tournaments at all ... It's not easy. But with a little effort, everything went well and we returned.
Q: Have you thought of leaving in this period? Is it surprising that for his 23-year career he only played for two teams, and in Italy. Have not you thought of going abroad?
B: I would like it because it means to be around other people, a different way of life, thinking. It sounded enticing. But deep inside I feel real Italian. I know that Italy has its limits, but the world I know here makes me smile and I like it. As a sports figure I have not left the country and I do not want to do it, as long as I do not have to.
P: You play professionally for over 20 years. Football is changing a lot, and as a goalkeeper you see your colleagues playing more and more with their feet. This is something more common in your position, but you do not seem to need it.
B: This is a positive change for me because it means that football is getting better. More interesting and less time is lost. I personally think this innovation has made me better. Because all gatekeepers use their feet and use them differently. You have to be able to kick, move on terrain, it's harder than before. It's good for me because I'm 40 and I'm still playing. Because I like to compete and embrace.
P: A few months ago he said this was probably your last year. But I spoke to Giorgio Cielini and he told me that Buffon was not ready to finish. Are there any news? Am I missing something? Will we look at Buffon for another two years?
B: No surprises. At my age, you have to judge the situation month to month, week to week, constantly. Because for professional athletes like you and me, who have always played on a level, it is very important to do our best. To be physically prepared because pride does not allow for poor results. I'm Buffon and I want to be myself until the last minute. When I no longer feel that I am myself, I will leave. I am happy. I like to play. The day I can no longer do it is no problem. Anyway, I had a wonderful career.
Championship start for Juventus + 30
Q: Are you afraid of quitting? Still, for a long time, you were a professional than anything else. Are you afraid of leaving and starting a new life that's unknown to you?
B: I'll lie if I say I'm not afraid. But I am deep within myself because I am curious by nature. The day I stop playing football will find myself bored and doing something. However, players like us need a reason to wake up in the morning and move on. My only problem would be that I woke up every morning and everything was organized. I had a schedule. And when you have 24 hours ahead of you and you have nothing to do in them, that could be a problem.
Q: Will you stay in the profession? Is there a role he could play after the end of his career?
B: I would like to take courses for a manager, a manager, a coach and then choose the right thing. Without hurry.
P: And last - he said that football made you a better person. What would you be if you did not play football?
B: I would certainly be worse as a person. I would probably be a teacher of physical education, like my parents. I was heading in that direction. I like to be around children, I like to do sports. But football made me better because I always put the group first. It's nice to be part of a group, a team. It makes you less selfish. I find this really beautiful. Being a bigger altruist and sharing with others is the best thing in this life.
P: As a player, I know that football is better when you're around. It was an honor to talk to you. Do you know when I was 21 I had to choose between Barcelona and Juventus? We could be teammates.
B: Really?
P: Yes, thank you very much!
B: Thank you!
Hope our vip soccer tips today are useful for you.
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