He initially played in several outfield positions before switching to goalkeeper due to injuries to the team's other goalkeepers. Gianluigi Buffon began his career with the Parma youth system in 1991 at the age of 13. In June 2017, he received honorary citizenship from the city of Latisana.ġ991–1994: Youth career and early professional career He is a relative of Lorenzo Buffon, goalkeeper for Milan, Genoa, Inter, Fiorentina, and the Italian national team: Lorenzo is Gianluigi's second cousin twice removed. He was born into a sporting family: his mother Maria Stella Masocco was three times Italian champion in the shot put and discus throw, his uncle Dante Masocco was a basketball player who played in the Serie A1, his father Adriano also practiced shot put, and his elder sisters Guendalina and Veronica were professional volleyball players. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he is one of the few recorded players to have made over 1,100 professional career appearances and holds the record for the most appearances in Serie A.īuffon was born in Carrara, Tuscany, although he is of Friulian origin, from Latisana. Uruguay forced the pace in the closing minutes, Cavani twice and Suarez firing off target and Buffon saved bravely from Inter Milan midfielder Gargano as the clock ran down on the extra half hour to force the spot-kick denouement.Gianluigi Buffon, born 28 January 1978, also known as Gigi Buffon, is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. In the final half hour, Muslera denied Aquilani before the Italians suffered a blow in the 110th minute with a second yellow card for Riccardo Montolivo. Uruguay, who led their series with the Azzurri 3-2 with three draws coming into Sunday’s game, are struggling to find their form in Latin American qualifying for next year’s World Cup, though they had managed to recapture some at this event. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, having lost striker Mario Balotelli to injury earlier in the tournament, was able to field Alberto Gilardino despite his picking up a knock against Spain, the Bologna man starting in a two-pronged attack alongside exciting Milan star El Shaarawy. In a contest between countries who shared out the first four World Cups Italy, who have since netted two more, drew first blood on 24 minutes when Davide Astori poked in from point blank range after Muslera had deflected another dangerous Diamanti free-kick onto the woodwork.īut Uruguay were level just before the hour mark with a neat Cavani strike on the run, the Napoli forward stroking a left-footer low past Buffon.Ĭavani had already by that stage seen a firm header chalked off for offside. The extra half hour could not separate the sides and so the 12-yard test decided the contest.įorlan - who also missed in the semi against Brazil - fluffed the first kick and though Cavani and Luis Suarez netted it was not enough as Alberto Aquilani, Stephan El Shaarawy and Emanuele Giaccherini found the net. Today was a tough match and I had a lot to do out there,” added the veteran shot-stopper.ĭespite the early afternoon heat, the sides produced an entertaining contest as the Italians, edged out in the semi-finals by Spain - also on penalties - came past rivals who had bowed to the Brazilians in their semi.Īlessandro Diamanti looked to have won the game in normal time at the Arena Fonte Nova stadium when he swept in a curling free-kick just inside Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera’s left-hand post in the 73rd minute.īut Edinson Cavani crashed in a stunning free-kick of his own with 12 minutes remaining of normal time to level at 2-2 as the South Americans fought to end a poor run of six losses in seven bronze medal matches at World Cup, Copa America and Confederations Cup tournaments. “These things only happen in Italy - people have a short memory there,” raged Buffon after the 34-year-old turned in heroics to seal victory. He promptly slammed critics back home who had wondered why he was not able to stop any of Spain’s seven penalties in the semi-final. Salvador, Brazil: Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon was the difference as the Azzurri took third place at the Confederations Cup on Sunday after beating Uruguay 3-2 on penalties, the pair having been locked at 2-2 following extra time in Salvador.Īlthough the eyes of 200 million Brazilians were fixed on an evening final between the hosts and world champions Spain, Italian and Uruguayan fans converged on the northern city for the bronze medal, which Italy carried off after skipper Buffon saved spot-kicks from Diego Forlan, Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano.
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