Gianluigi Buffon is an Italian professional footballer who captains and plays as a goalkeeper for the Serie B club Parma.
162 Facts About Gianluigi Buffon
2.
Gianluigi Buffon is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
3.
Gianluigi Buffon is one of the few recorded players to have made over 1,100 professional career appearances.
4.
Gianluigi Buffon soon broke into the starting line-up and earned a reputation as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Italy, helping Parma to win the Coppa Italia, the UEFA Cup and the Supercoppa Italiana in 1999.
5.
Gianluigi Buffon was the first goalkeeper to win the Serie A Footballer of the Year award, and was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year a record twelve times.
6.
Gianluigi Buffon was called up for a record of five FIFA World Cup tournaments after making his debut in 1997; he was an unused substitute in the 1998 edition.
7.
Gianluigi Buffon was the starting goalkeeper of the squad that won the 2006 tournament, being awarded the Golden Glove as the competition's best goalkeeper.
8.
Gianluigi Buffon represented Italy at four European Championships, at the 1996 Olympics, and at two FIFA Confederations Cups, winning a bronze medal in the 2013 edition of the tournament.
9.
Gianluigi Buffon retired from international football in 2017, after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup; although he reversed this decision to play in the team's friendlies the following year, he officially confirmed his international retirement in May 2018.
10.
Gianluigi Buffon was named by Pele in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004.
11.
Gianluigi Buffon is the only goalkeeper to win the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award, which he achieved after reaching the 2003 UEFA Champions League Final; he won UEFA's award for best goalkeeper that year, and was additionally voted into the UEFA Team of the Year on five occasions.
12.
Gianluigi Buffon was the runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 2006, and was elected part of the FIFPro World11 three times.
13.
Gianluigi Buffon was the first ever goalkeeper to win the Golden Foot Award, and was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper a record five times ; he would go on to be named the best goalkeeper of the 21st century, of the past 25 years and of the decade by the same organisation.
14.
Gianluigi Buffon was born in Carrara, Tuscany, although he is of Friulian origin, from Latisana.
15.
Gianluigi Buffon was born into a sporting family: his mother Maria Stella Masocco was three times Italian champion in shot put and discus throw, his uncle Dante Masocco was a basketball player who played in the Serie A1, his father Adriano practiced shot put, and his elder sisters Guendalina and Veronica were professional volleyball players.
16.
Gianluigi Buffon is a relative of Lorenzo Buffon, goalkeeper for Milan, Genoa, Inter, Fiorentina and the Italian national team: Lorenzo is second cousin of Gianluigi's grandfather.
17.
Gianluigi Buffon quickly adapted to this role, and within two weeks he had been promoted to first keeper of the Parma youth team.
18.
Gianluigi Buffon made notable saves against Ballon d'Or winners Roberto Baggio and George Weah, as well as Marco Simone, throughout the match.
19.
Gianluigi Buffon went on to make seven more first team appearances that season as well as one appearance in the Coppa Italia, making his debut in the competition, as Parma were eliminated in the second round.
20.
Gianluigi Buffon conceded 17 goals in 27 appearances, and his consistent performances began to gain attention in Italy.
21.
Gianluigi Buffon acquired his nickname "Superman" during the course of the season, when he stopped a penalty by Inter striker and Ballon d'Or holder Ronaldo.
22.
Gianluigi Buffon celebrated the save by showing the Parma fans a Superman T-shirt, which he was wearing underneath his jersey; the nickname was a reference to Gianluigi Buffon's athleticism, agility and aerial ability.
23.
Gianluigi Buffon placed fifth in the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper rankings, and received his first ever Ballon d'Or nomination.
24.
Gianluigi Buffon was voted Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the second time in his career, and he placed third in the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award.
25.
Gianluigi Buffon later said that there had been an initial possibility for him to join Roma, but they signed Ivan Pelizzoli instead, and although negotiations were ongoing with Barcelona, he chose Juventus because his father convinced him he would be likely to achieve his ambition of winning the Scudetto.
26.
Gianluigi Buffon drew praise for making a reaction save from a close-range header by Filippo Inzaghi in the final during regulation time, which he later described as the most difficult save of his career in his 2008 autobiography, and as one of the most beautiful in 2014.
27.
Gianluigi Buffon saved a Luis Figo penalty in the second leg of the semi-finals, against defending champions Real Madrid, in Turin.
28.
Juventus managed to celebrate their second consecutive Serie A title that season, finishing the season with the best defence yet again, as Gianluigi Buffon conceded only 23 goals in 32 appearances.
29.
In 2003, Gianluigi Buffon received the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the fourth time.
30.
Gianluigi Buffon became the only goalkeeper ever to win the now defunct UEFA Most Valuable Player or UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award.
31.
Gianluigi Buffon won the UEFA Best Goalkeeper award, and was elected to the UEFA Team of the Year for the first time.
32.
Gianluigi Buffon was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for the first time in his career.
33.
Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the 2003 Ballon d'Or that season, finishing in ninth place.
34.
Gianluigi Buffon was named by Pele as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004, but missed out on the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award, which went to Milan's league-winning goalkeeper Dida.
35.
Gianluigi Buffon was elected as the Goalkeeper for the UEFA Team of the Year and as the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper.
36.
Gianluigi Buffon received his first ever FIFA World Player of the Year nomination in 2004, finishing in 21st place alongside countryman Paolo Maldini.
37.
Juventus were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, against eventual winners Liverpool, and in 2005, Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the UEFA Team of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.
38.
Gianluigi Buffon recovered in time to help Juventus win their second consecutive Scudetto and his fourth overall, returning to the starting line-up in January 2006, in a Coppa Italia match against Fiorentina.
39.
Gianluigi Buffon was named IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for the third time in his career and Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the sixth time.
40.
Gianluigi Buffon was placed second in the 2006 Ballon d'Or and eighth in the FIFA World Player of the Year Award behind his winning Italy teammate Fabio Cannavaro, and was elected as the starting goalkeeper for both the 2006 FIFPro XI and the UEFA Team of the Year, following his fifth consecutive nomination.
41.
On 12 May 2006, several players, including Gianluigi Buffon, were accused of participating in illegal betting on Serie A matches.
42.
Gianluigi Buffon voluntarily co-operated, allowing himself to be interrogated by Turin magistrates.
43.
Gianluigi Buffon was cleared of all charges by the Italian Football Federation on 27 June 2007.
44.
Gianluigi Buffon elected to remain with Juventus, despite the team's relegation, a decision which made him extremely popular with the Juventus fans.
45.
In 2007, Gianluigi Buffon was elected as the goalkeeper for the 2007 FIFPro XI for the second consecutive year, and the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper for a record-breaking fourth time.
46.
Gianluigi Buffon produced 94 saves in 34 league appearances and was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the seventh time in his career.
47.
Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the 2008 Ballon d'Or for the sixth consecutive time in his career since 2003, and the FIFA World Player of the Year Award.
48.
On 10 March 2008, Gianluigi Buffon renewed his contract until 2013, expressing his desire to win everything with the club.
49.
Gianluigi Buffon admitted he was disappointed with the current results, but assured that he had no intention of leaving.
50.
Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2009 for the sixth consecutive season since first being nominated in 2004.
51.
Gianluigi Buffon was often sidelined that season, due to several recurring injuries.
52.
In 2010, Gianluigi Buffon was voted goalkeeper of the decade by IFFHS.
53.
Gianluigi Buffon kept his 15th clean sheet of the season in Juventus' victory over rivals Inter in the Derby d'Italia; after the match, he was described as "the best goalkeeper in Italy and probably the World".
54.
Gianluigi Buffon described it as the second highest point of his career, after the 2006 World Cup victory.
55.
Juventus made the Coppa Italia final that season, although Gianluigi Buffon did not play in this competition.
56.
Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or and the 2012 UEFA Team of the Year following his performances throughout the calendar year.
57.
Gianluigi Buffon was voted second in the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award, behind Iker Casillas, and was named as goalkeeper of the century by the same organisation.
58.
On 23 January 2013, Gianluigi Buffon signed a contract extension with Juventus, keeping him at the club until 2015.
59.
On 27 January 2013, Gianluigi Buffon was awarded the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year award for the eighth time in his career.
60.
Juventus retained their Serie A title that season, and finished the league with the best defence, as Gianluigi Buffon conceded just 19 goals.
61.
Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the 2013 FIFPro XI and the 2013 Ballon d'Or for his performances throughout the calendar year.
62.
In 2013, Gianluigi Buffon was named the second best goalkeeper in the world by IFFHS, behind Manuel Neuer.
63.
Gianluigi Buffon's performances earned him the Juventus player of the month award for December 2013.
64.
Gianluigi Buffon lifted the Serie A title for the third consecutive year, captaining the team to their 30th league title.
65.
Gianluigi Buffon managed 89 saves and 18 clean sheets in 33 appearances during the Serie A season, and conceded 19 goals.
66.
On 1 July 2014, Gianluigi Buffon signed a contract extension that would keep him at the club until 2017.
67.
On 24 November, Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the 2014 FIFPro World XI for a record tenth time.
68.
Gianluigi Buffon is currently the only goalkeeper to have been nominated for the award every year since its inception in 2005.
69.
On 15 December 2014, Gianluigi Buffon was named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the ninth time in his career, and was elected to the 2014 Serie A Team of the Year.
70.
Gianluigi Buffon placed fourth in the 2014 IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper Award, behind Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois and Keylor Navas; this was the 15th consecutive year in which he had been named as one of the world's top five goalkeepers.
71.
On 15 February 2015, Gianluigi Buffon surpassed Gaetano Scirea as the Juventus player with the second most minutes played in Serie A, behind only Giampiero Boniperti.
72.
On 2 March 2015, Gianluigi Buffon equalled Scirea as the Juventus player with the third most appearances in Serie A, behind only Boniperti and Del Piero.
73.
Gianluigi Buffon made the most saves throughout the tournament, and kept the most clean sheets, along with Danijel Subasic, Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
74.
On 15 July 2015, Gianluigi Buffon was named to the ten-man shortlist for the 2015 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
75.
Gianluigi Buffon's save on Dani Alves in the Champions League final was nominated for the UEFA Save of the Season Award, finishing on a tied third-place in the voting.
76.
On 18 July, Gianluigi Buffon was included in the ten-man shortlist for the 2016 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, in which he finished sixth.
77.
On 11 October 2016, Gianluigi Buffon became the first goalkeeper ever to win the Golden Foot Award.
78.
Gianluigi Buffon's performances saw him earn the Juventus Player of the Month Award for October 2016.
79.
On 1 December, Gianluigi Buffon was nominated for the 2016 FIFPro World XI, making him the only player, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, to have been included in the shortlist every year since its inception in 2005.
80.
Gianluigi Buffon capped off the year by placing second in the 2016 IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper Award, finishing behind Neuer .
81.
On 5 January 2017, Gianluigi Buffon was named to the 2016 UEFA Team of the Year, becoming the oldest player ever to be named to the UEFA Team of the Year; this was the fourth time he had been voted to the UEFA Team of the Year.
82.
On 9 January, it was announced Gianluigi Buffon had placed eighth in The 2016 Best FIFA Men's Player Award.
83.
On 30 January, Gianluigi Buffon was voted Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for the 11th time, and named to the 2016 Serie A Team of the Year.
84.
Gianluigi Buffon did not feature, as his usual back-up Neto was the club's starting goalkeeper in the competition.
85.
Gianluigi Buffon was named in the UEFA Champions League squad of the season for the second time, and the tournament's best goalkeeper.
86.
On 15 August, Gianluigi Buffon was listed as one of the three finalists for the 2017 UEFA Best Player of the Year Award, along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
87.
On 23 October, Gianluigi Buffon won the inaugural 2017 Best FIFA Goalkeeper award, and was named to the FIFPro World XI for the third time in his career; he was nominated for the 2017 Best FIFA Men's Player Award, finishing in fourth place in the voting.
88.
On 11 January 2018, Gianluigi Buffon was named to the 2017 UEFA Team of the Year for the fifth time.
89.
On 6 July 2018, Gianluigi Buffon signed a one-year contract, with the option for a second year, with Paris Saint-Germain.
90.
On 4 July 2019, after a season away from Juventus, Gianluigi Buffon signed a one-year contract with the club.
91.
On 29 June, Gianluigi Buffon signed a new contract with Juventus, extending until June 2021.
92.
Gianluigi Buffon became the first goalkeeper to ever record a Champions League clean sheet in four different decades.
93.
On 11 May 2021, Gianluigi Buffon announced that he would leave Juventus at the end of the season.
94.
Gianluigi Buffon has represented Italy at all youth levels, from the under-16 side to the under-23 side, as well as the Olympic side in 1996.
95.
Gianluigi Buffon was most notably a member of Italy's 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship-winning squad.
96.
Gianluigi Buffon was a member of the Italy squad that won the gold medal for football at the 1997 Mediterranean Games in Bari, on home soil.
97.
Gianluigi Buffon currently holds the record for the most clean sheets with the Italian national side.
98.
Gianluigi Buffon was awarded his first cap for Italy's senior team under Cesare Maldini on 29 October 1997, at the age of 19 years and 9 months, as an injury replacement for Gianluca Pagliuca during the first leg of the 1998 World Cup qualification play-off against Russia, in Moscow; with this cap, Gianluigi Buffon became the youngest goalkeeper to feature for Italy post-World War II.
99.
Gianluigi Buffon was a member of the squad for the 1998 World Cup finals, initially as the third choice goalkeeper; after an injury to starting goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, Buffon was promoted to second-choice goalkeeper behind Pagliuca, with Francesco Toldo being called up as third-choice, but Buffon did not play a single game in the tournament.
100.
Gianluigi Buffon's starting place was taken by backup goalkeeper Francesco Toldo, and Christian Abbiati was called up as a replacement third keeper, with Francesco Antonioli being promoted to second goalkeeper.
101.
In spite of heavy competition from Toldo, Gianluigi Buffon regained the starting goalkeeping spot for the fourth match of the qualification series, away to Romania, and was the starting goalkeeper for the remaining four matches under Giovanni Trapattoni as Italy qualified with an unbeaten record.
102.
Gianluigi Buffon played every minute of Italy's 2002 World Cup campaign, keeping a clean sheet in the opening match against Ecuador, and saving a controversial penalty against co-hosts South Korea in the round of 16, which was not enough to stop the under-performing side from being eliminated by a golden goal in extra time.
103.
Gianluigi Buffon was the first choice goalkeeper under his former Juventus coach and Trapattoni's replacement Marcello Lippi, as Italy finished first in their 2006 World Cup qualifying group.
104.
Gianluigi Buffon finished second to compatriot Fabio Cannavaro in the 2006 Ballon d'Or and eighth in the FIFA World Player of the Year for his performances that season, and was named in the 2006 FIFPro World XI and the 2006 UEFA Team of the Year.
105.
Gianluigi Buffon was later named Italy's second acting captain for Euro 2008 after incumbent Cannavaro was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, and as Italy's replacement captain Alessandro Del Piero was frequently deployed as a substitute.
106.
Gianluigi Buffon played all three group matches during Italy's disappointing 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign in South Africa, in which they finished third in their group in three-way three-point tie.
107.
Gianluigi Buffon earned his 100th cap on 14 November 2009 in a friendly match against the Netherlands.
108.
Gianluigi Buffon was a key player in Italy's World Cup qualifying campaign as they finished top of their group, undefeated.
109.
On 15 November 2011, in a friendly match against Uruguay, Gianluigi Buffon surpassed Zoff's number of caps for Italy, putting him behind only the retired former Italian captains Cannavaro and Paolo Maldini; he overtook Zoff in Italy's next friendly match against the United States on 29 February 2012.
110.
Gianluigi Buffon was selected as Italy's starting goalkeeper and captain for Euro 2012 after leading his national side to qualify for the tournament undefeated, only conceding two goals.
111.
At Euro 2012, Gianluigi Buffon acted as captain during the entire tournament.
112.
Gianluigi Buffon kept a clean sheet against the Republic of Ireland in the third group stage match and against England, saving a crucial penalty from Ashley Cole in the quarter-final shootout, in which he was elected man of the match.
113.
Gianluigi Buffon was elected to the Team of the Tournament for his performances.
114.
On 26 March 2013, in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Malta, Gianluigi Buffon earned his 126th cap for Italy, equalling Paolo Maldini's number of caps for the national team.
115.
Gianluigi Buffon was included in the Italian squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil and played in every match of the tournament as captain.
116.
Gianluigi Buffon saved three penalties; those taken by Diego Forlan, Juventus teammate Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano.
117.
On 6 September 2013, Gianluigi Buffon earned his 135th cap for Italy in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.
118.
On 2 January 2014, Gianluigi Buffon was awarded the 2013 Pallone Azzurro award, which is given to the Italian national side's best player of the year.
119.
Gianluigi Buffon became the third player to be part of five World Cup squads, tying the records held by Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal and German footballer Lothar Matthaus.
120.
Gianluigi Buffon was eventually beaten in the 81st minute by a Diego Godin header, moments after Luis Suarez's bite on Giorgio Chiellini.
121.
Gianluigi Buffon was voted man of the match for his performance.
122.
Gianluigi Buffon made his first appearance for Italy under new manager Antonio Conte on 9 September 2014, captaining his team in their opening European Championship qualifying match against Norway in Oslo.
123.
Gianluigi Buffon saved an early Mario Mandzukic penalty, but was taken off at half time and replaced by Salvatore Sirigu due to an injury.
124.
On 31 May 2016, Gianluigi Buffon was named the captain of Conte's 23-man Italy squad for Euro 2016.
125.
On 1 January 2017, Gianluigi Buffon was awarded the 2016 Pallone Azzurro Award, as Italy's best international player throughout the calendar year, becoming the first player to win the award more than once.
126.
The young lads will grow, some already have, and from tomorrow they'll get their chance," and "I am here for Astori [a former international teammate of Gianluigi Buffon's who had recently died from a heart attack] as well, it's another reason why I wanted to be here.
127.
On 17 May 2018, Gianluigi Buffon announced in a press conference with Juventus that he would not return to the national team for its May and June friendlies.
128.
Gianluigi Buffon has been praised for his athleticism, his "outstanding shot-stopping", his acrobatic dives, and his quick reflexes, as well as his ability to produce decisive saves, despite being a tall, large and physically imposing goalkeeper.
129.
Gianluigi Buffon was highly regarded for his handling, aerial ability, and command of the area on high balls; however, throughout his career, Buffon has occasionally been accused by pundits of being overly cautious on crosses and of not always coming out to collect them, and has drawn criticism for preferring to punch the ball out to his teammates at times rather than holding on to it.
130.
In contrast with his goalkeeping style in his early career, Gianluigi Buffon has often preferred to position himself in deeper areas in his later career, closer to his line, in particular in one on one situations, in order to increase the distance between himself and his opponent, giving himself more time to assess situations and parry the ball.
131.
Gianluigi Buffon is widely regarded by players, pundits and managers as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, and by some in the sport as the greatest ever.
132.
Gianluigi Buffon was awarded the Nereo Rocco Prize on 2 September 2014, which is given to a footballer in recognition of their career.
133.
Gianluigi Buffon was born into a family of Italian athletes on 28 January 1978.
134.
Gianluigi Buffon's mother, Maria Stella, was a discus thrower and his father, Adriano, was a weightlifter.
135.
Gianluigi Buffon's two sisters, Veronica and Guendalina, played volleyball for the Italian national volleyball team, and his uncle, Dante Masocco, was a basketball player in Serie A1, who represented the national team.
136.
Gianluigi Buffon married Czech model Alena Seredova in June 2011, although they had been in a relationship since 2005.
137.
In May 2014, Gianluigi Buffon announced that he had separated from his wife after three years of marriage.
138.
Gianluigi Buffon was romantically linked to Italian sports pundit, journalist and television host Ilaria D'Amico.
139.
In 2015, Gianluigi Buffon announced that the couple were expecting a child together.
140.
On 14 November 2008, Gianluigi Buffon released the Italian edition of his autobiography, Numero 1, which was written in collaboration with writer and Corriere della Sera journalist Roberto Perrone.
141.
Gianluigi Buffon suffers from spheksophobia, as he is allergic to wasp stings.
142.
Gianluigi Buffon was a member of the ultras of Carrarese, specifically the "Commando Ultra Indian Tips", and to this day, he still has the group's name printed on his goalkeeping gloves.
143.
On 7 May 2012, Gianluigi Buffon was elected vice-president of the Italian Footballers' Association ; this was the first time an active footballer had held this position.
144.
Gianluigi Buffon has been sponsored by German sportswear company Puma during his career, wearing Puma gloves and Puma King football boots, and has appeared in Puma commercials.
145.
Gianluigi Buffon has featured in Pepsi commercials, including an advertisement for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, where he lined up alongside several other footballers, including David Beckham, Raul and Roberto Carlos, in taking on a team of sumo players.
146.
Gianluigi Buffon was featured on the cover of the Italian edition of Konami's PES 2008, alongside global coverstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
147.
In 2016, Gianluigi Buffon was chosen as the new face of Amica Chips.
148.
In May 2018, Gianluigi Buffon announced his partnership with the video game World of Tanks.
149.
In January 2020, Gianluigi Buffon made a cameo appearance in the music video for "Ti sapro aspettare" by Biagio Antonacci, where he coaches a children's football team against Antonacci as the opposing coach.
150.
In 2012, Gianluigi Buffon joined the "Respect Diversity" Programme, through UEFA, which aimed to fight against racism, discrimination and intolerance in football.
151.
In October 2019, Gianluigi Buffon was named a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the World Food Programme.
152.
Gianluigi Buffon was one of over 80 Italian celebrities to sign a petition in favour of the 2016 Italian constitutional referendum promoted by the Democratic Party under then prime minister Matteo Renzi.
153.
Gianluigi Buffon claimed to be unaware of the number's neo-Nazi connotations, stating that 88 represented "four balls", which are symbols of the character and attributes of a person.
154.
Gianluigi Buffon stated that they were meant to signify his need for these attributes after his injury prior to Euro 2000, and that they represented his "rebirth".
155.
Gianluigi Buffon subsequently offered to change numbers, choosing the squad number 77 instead.
156.
In September 1999, Gianluigi Buffon faced heavy criticism and severe disciplinary sanctions for bearing the Italian fascist slogan Boia chi molla handwritten on a T-shirt under his goalkeeping jersey, which he wore and showed during media interviews after a match against Lazio.
157.
Gianluigi Buffon declared that he merely intended to use the slogan to spur on his teammates and the fans, as Parma had previously encountered some disappointing results.
158.
In 2000, Gianluigi Buffon risked a four-year prison sentence for falsifying a high school accounting diploma in order to enroll for a law degree at the University of Parma, and ultimately paid a 6,350,000 Lire fine in 2001; he later described the incident as his biggest regret in life, stating that it had been a dishonest gesture.
159.
On 12 May 2006, during the height of the Calciopoli scandal, Gianluigi Buffon was accused of illegally betting on Serie A matches, which initially put his place in Italy's 2006 World Cup squad at risk.
160.
Gianluigi Buffon was formally interrogated and admitted placing bets on sporting matches until players were forbidden from doing so in October 2005, but denied ever placing wagers on Italian football matches.
161.
Gianluigi Buffon was cleared of all charges in December 2006.
162.
Gianluigi Buffon was sent off for dissent after a confrontation with Oliver; Juventus were eliminated from the Champions League as the resulting penalty kick was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo.