Gianluigi Buffon

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Buffon made his Italy debut in 1997 and quickly became the first-choice goalkeeper. His defining moment came at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he kept five clean sheets—a tournament record—and was awarded the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper. He started in the final against France, keeping a clean sheet in regular and extra time, and Italy won on penalties. Buffon was elected to the Team of the Tournament for that World Cup, an honour he also received from UEFA after reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 and the final of Euro 2012. He captained Italy from 2010 onward, leading the side through two more World Cups and two European Championships. After Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Buffon initially retired from international duty in 2017, but played in friendlies the following year before officially retiring in May 2018. His 176 caps are the most for Italy and the most by any goalkeeper internationally.

In Their Own Story

Berlin, 9 July 2006. The Olympic Stadium was a cauldron of noise as the World Cup final moved toward penalties. Now, facing the shootout, he stood tall. He saved a penalty from David Trezeguet, his former Juventus teammate, as it struck the crossbar and bounced down. That save proved decisive: Italy converted all their spot-kicks and won 5–3. Buffon had kept five clean sheets in the tournament, a record, and lifted the World Cup trophy as the Azzurri's last line of defence. The image of him roaring after the final penalty remains one of the defining moments of his career.

Reader's Guide

Gianluigi Buffon's international career spanned from his debut in 1997 to his official retirement in May 2018. He earned 176 caps, making him the most capped player in Italy's history and the most capped goalkeeper of all time. He was called up for five World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) and four European Championships. His peak came at the 2006 World Cup, where he started every match, kept five clean sheets, won the Golden Glove, and was named to the Team of the Tournament. He also made the UEFA Team of the Tournament after Euro 2008 and Euro 2012. Buffon inherited the captain's armband in 2010 and held the record for most appearances as Italy captain. He won a bronze medal at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. After Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, he retired from international football in 2017, briefly returned for friendlies in 2018, and then confirmed his retirement in May 2018.

Did You Know?

• Buffon is the most capped goalkeeper of all time and the most capped player in Italy national team history, with 176 caps.
• He was called up for a record five FIFA World Cup tournaments (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014).
• At the 2006 World Cup, Buffon kept a record five clean sheets and won the Golden Glove as the tournament's best goalkeeper.
• He inherited the captain's armband in 2010 and holds the record for most appearances as Italy captain.
• Buffon officially confirmed his international retirement in May 2018, after initially retiring in 2017 following Italy's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.