Buffon, Gianluigi

On 19 November 1995, the world learned the name Gianluigi Buffon. At the tender age of 17 he made his Serie A debut for Parma against European giants Milan, facing down the likes of Roberto Baggio and George Weah, keeping a clean sheet. During his 28-year long career Buffon broke many records. The numbers, however, only tell half the story of a player famously nicknamed ‘Superman’ for his athletic prowess. In ‘Saved’ Buffon reveals that even superheroes struggle with their inner demons. Beyond his individual triumphs with Parma, Juventus and PSG – the famous World Cup win in 2006 – Buffon reflects on his deeply human challenges off the pitch. He describes being devoured by depression between games and the psychological toll of being a goalkeeper – the loneliest position in football – often finding solace in talking to his gloves.