ok,i read today this article in uefa and i was very touched...
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The greatest glove of all
Friday, 18 March 2005
By Paolo Menicucci
Having being named in uefa.com's users' Team of 2003 and 2004, Gianluigi Buffon is on target for a glorious treble. With Juventus FC level on points with AC Milan at the top of Serie A, Buffon has helped his side qualify for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after a 2-1 aggregate win against Real Madrid CF.
Massive fee
Since Juventus signed him from Parma FC in 2001, the Bianconeri have never regretted their decision to pay €52.29m for the goalkeeper, who is widely regarded as the best in the world. "This type of recognition and these types of awards obviously make me happy and proud," the 27-year-old said of his latest uefa.com accolade.
Promising upstarts
However, with the European season in full swing, Buffon is only too aware that a younger generation of goalkeepers are eager to steal his crown. "There are some very strong goalkeepers at the moment in Europe," he told uefa.com. "The standard is very high. Of all of them, the best ones are [Petr] Cech, [Nelson] Dida and [Iker] Casillas, in that order".
Calmness counts
The Italian international knows better than anyone the single important quality that can transform a previously good goalkeeper into a world-beater. "I think a great goalkeeper should transmit a sense of calmness and security to his team-mates at any given time during a particular match and during the whole season," he said.
Juventus honours
With Buffon between the posts, Juventus have won the Scudetto twice in 2001/02 and 2002/03 when Buffon conceded 23 goals and 29 goals respectively - the fewest in the division in both seasons. The Bianconeri also reached the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League final, although they lost against Milan on penalties in Manchester despite Buffon's brilliant performance.
Dignified approach
Success and the occasional disappointment have helped him hone his goalkeeping philosophy. "When the team is not playing particularly well or even when the goalkeeper himself has made some mistakes, he should never panic," he said. "The goalkeeper should always show his team-mates that he is 100 per cent fit in mind as well as body."
Unnecessary acrobatics
That maxim might explain why Buffon has little respect for goalkeepers who showboat with unnecessary diving saves and embellishments. "I prefer goalkeepers who are very solid, sturdy and don't do much acrobatic stuff," said the first goalkeeper to win the Most Valuable Player award at the UEFA European Football Awards in 2003.
Coaching ambition
At 27, Buffon could yet have another decade at the top of his game before he considers retirement, but he has already formulated a clear plan for what he will do when he finally hangs up his gloves. "If I were to stay in the world of football, I would love to become a coach," he said. "It has always been one of my passions."
Foreign mission
He also admitted that he would not rule out the possibility of playing outside Serie A at some time. "It would be a great experience for a man who wants to live his life to the full," said the goalkeeper, who is contracted to Juventus until 2009. "I would never exclude the possibility of going abroad one day."
'The best'
However with so much excitement in prospect in Turin this season, such plans look to be something for a long time in the future. As Buffon put it himself: "I am Italian and playing for Juventus is the absolute pinnacle. I have been in Turin for four years. Staying here could be the best outcome for me."
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the bold part was the only thing i didn't like :groan:
hope he changes his mind and stay at juve till the end.
------------------------
The greatest glove of all
Friday, 18 March 2005
By Paolo Menicucci
Having being named in uefa.com's users' Team of 2003 and 2004, Gianluigi Buffon is on target for a glorious treble. With Juventus FC level on points with AC Milan at the top of Serie A, Buffon has helped his side qualify for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after a 2-1 aggregate win against Real Madrid CF.
Massive fee
Since Juventus signed him from Parma FC in 2001, the Bianconeri have never regretted their decision to pay €52.29m for the goalkeeper, who is widely regarded as the best in the world. "This type of recognition and these types of awards obviously make me happy and proud," the 27-year-old said of his latest uefa.com accolade.
Promising upstarts
However, with the European season in full swing, Buffon is only too aware that a younger generation of goalkeepers are eager to steal his crown. "There are some very strong goalkeepers at the moment in Europe," he told uefa.com. "The standard is very high. Of all of them, the best ones are [Petr] Cech, [Nelson] Dida and [Iker] Casillas, in that order".
Calmness counts
The Italian international knows better than anyone the single important quality that can transform a previously good goalkeeper into a world-beater. "I think a great goalkeeper should transmit a sense of calmness and security to his team-mates at any given time during a particular match and during the whole season," he said.
Juventus honours
With Buffon between the posts, Juventus have won the Scudetto twice in 2001/02 and 2002/03 when Buffon conceded 23 goals and 29 goals respectively - the fewest in the division in both seasons. The Bianconeri also reached the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League final, although they lost against Milan on penalties in Manchester despite Buffon's brilliant performance.
Dignified approach
Success and the occasional disappointment have helped him hone his goalkeeping philosophy. "When the team is not playing particularly well or even when the goalkeeper himself has made some mistakes, he should never panic," he said. "The goalkeeper should always show his team-mates that he is 100 per cent fit in mind as well as body."
Unnecessary acrobatics
That maxim might explain why Buffon has little respect for goalkeepers who showboat with unnecessary diving saves and embellishments. "I prefer goalkeepers who are very solid, sturdy and don't do much acrobatic stuff," said the first goalkeeper to win the Most Valuable Player award at the UEFA European Football Awards in 2003.
Coaching ambition
At 27, Buffon could yet have another decade at the top of his game before he considers retirement, but he has already formulated a clear plan for what he will do when he finally hangs up his gloves. "If I were to stay in the world of football, I would love to become a coach," he said. "It has always been one of my passions."
Foreign mission
He also admitted that he would not rule out the possibility of playing outside Serie A at some time. "It would be a great experience for a man who wants to live his life to the full," said the goalkeeper, who is contracted to Juventus until 2009. "I would never exclude the possibility of going abroad one day."
'The best'
However with so much excitement in prospect in Turin this season, such plans look to be something for a long time in the future. As Buffon put it himself: "I am Italian and playing for Juventus is the absolute pinnacle. I have been in Turin for four years. Staying here could be the best outcome for me."
_______________________________
the bold part was the only thing i didn't like :groan:
hope he changes his mind and stay at juve till the end.
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