Zoff: Buffon Would Deserve Golden Ball
"In 1973 I came second behind Cruyff."
In an interview the legendary ex goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who lifted Italy's third World Cup as captain in 1982 and was the oldest player ever to win it, talked about Buffon's role as a Juve symbol and how his career mirror his own. According to the ex-Italy coach the World Champion would deserve the Ballon D'Or as the second goalkeeper ever after Lev Yashin.
Tell us about the Golden Ball...
"I came very close to winning it".
When?
"In 1973 I came second behind Johan Cruyff."
Would you have deserved it?
"I don't know, but I was a step behind."
Can Buffon win it?
"He's got everything. Charisma, quality, trophies, consistency. But that doesn't mean he will be the first on the podium... I don't think it's impossible though."
Is Gianluigi the best keeper in the world?
"Let me think... I can only think of two names. Buffon, of course, and Petr Cech, the Chelsea phenomenon, who's going through a dramatic moment, that might force him to a long period of inactivity. I don't see anyone else."
Buffon is also seen as a leader...
"Yes he can be that as well, he's become a symbol of Juve because of that as well."
Who in Italy is near to his level?
"Peruzzi. Then you have Amelia, De Sanctis, and Abbiati who are step below."
Is there a keepers problem?
"The problem is that we don't have a goalkeeping school. That's why we suffer."
What if Buffon went abroad?
"I don't think so... he should come back to play in what used to be the best league in the world. He will come back along with Juve on the highest stage."
to be honest one of the comments posted on the goal.com site that i really loved and respected mentioned that besides his superb goal keeping skills buffon deserves to win the golden ball for the loyality he has shown for juventus and fans alike. i personally think its hard to be the best goal keeper in the world, a goal keeper who has just won the world cup this summer, and a highly demanded goalie from europes elite teams and yet he ditches all this and deciedes to stay with juve in seria B. for me no one in the nominees list deserves it as much as buffon.
one of the good valid pionts mentioned inthe post was how he has been thru great moments ( like wining the world cup ) and really harsh times like his injury early in the season and the betting scandal yet he has managed to over come all this with a smile that never parts his face even in seria B. with out a doubt this man will always be remebered as a true juventini no doubt. unlike others who ditched us for money and fame ( we all know who they r ) and by the way he still has alot left in his career just like zambrotta for example so respect to superman!!!!!!!!!!!