Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has revealed that he battled depression during the 2003-04 season.
Buffon is the latest Serie A star to release an autobiography, titled 'Numero Uno', and extracts have been published in La Stampa.
Surprisingly, Gigi has confessed that he considered quitting the game five years ago - a season that ended with defeat to Milan in the Champions League Final - due to depression.
“Was it because of fame or money? There were thousands of reasons,” Buffon writes.
“Maybe you realise that you can't find the right woman or you fail to win the Champions League.
“I went away for two months to receive treatment and to cure the depression.
“Every time I fail to make a save this thing tries to come back, but you can't go away every three months to cure it.
“I don't have any regrets at all, but I started my life in football when I was just 17 and maybe I didn't live my youth as I wanted.”
Juventus face Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, but Buffon is currently injured so Alex Manninger will continue to fill in.
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Holy shit, who would've thought Gigi has had mental issues?
He's like the happiest guy on the team, never loses his cool.
Well, I'm pretty sure the WC medal, and Alena successfully ended all of his thoughts of depression
