Gianluigi Buffon, one of many biggest goalkeepers in soccer historical past, has shared an intriguing story a couple of potential transfer to Barcelona that by no means materialised.
Buffon, who’s finest identified for his lengthy profession at Juventus and is now an assistant coach for Italy, opened up about this provide in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
The goalkeeper, who has seen all of it throughout his time on the high degree, mirrored on the selections and moments that formed his profession.
Purpose to reject Barcelona
Buffon revealed that Barcelona had provided him the possibility to hitch the membership as a second-choice goalkeeper. The concept of taking part in alongside Lionel Messi, after having spent years going through Cristiano Ronaldo, was a sexy prospect.
“I had a proposal from Barcelona to be second goalkeeper: I appreciated the thought of taking part in with Messi, after CR7,” he started by saying.
Buffon rejected a proposal from Barcelona. (Photograph by Claudio Villa/Getty Pictures)
Nevertheless, Buffon defined that destiny had different plans for him. Whereas driving someday, he heard a music by the well-known Italian artist Jovanotti known as *Bella*, a observe he hadn’t listened to in years.
At that second, as he glanced up, he noticed the Parma signal on the motorway. For Buffon, this felt like an indication, a strong message from future.
It was at that second that he made the choice to return to Parma, the membership the place all of it started for him, as an alternative of becoming a member of Barcelona.
“Sooner or later, nonetheless, I used to be driving and on the radio, they performed a music by Jovanotti that I appreciated and that I hadn’t heard for ten years: ‘Bella’.
“I appeared up and noticed the Parma signal on the motorway. It was an indication. And that’s how I ended my profession, the place all of it started,” he famous.
Reward for Neymar
In the meantime, when requested about the most effective participant he had ever performed in opposition to, Buffon talked about a number of footballing legends from totally different generations, together with Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Andres Iniesta.
“I performed with three generations, how can I say it? Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, CR7, Iniesta.”
Buffon says Neymar ought to have gained a number of Ballon d’Or honours. (Photograph by Clive Rose/Getty Pictures)
All of those gamers left a mark on his profession, however Buffon was fast so as to add that if he needed to decide one, it might be Neymar.
In keeping with Buffon, Neymar was not solely a unprecedented participant but additionally a implausible individual. He firmly believes that Neymar ought to have gained a number of Ballon d’Or awards, claiming that 5 would have been deserved.
“Neymar. For the participant and the boy that he’s, he ought to have gained 5 Ballon d’Or,” he stated.
Buffon’s profession journey is a testomony to his immense expertise and the eagerness he has for the sport.
From his iconic days at Juventus to his deep reference to Parma, Buffon’s determination to show down Barcelona exhibits that generally, future leads us to locations we least count on however the place we really belong.