Juventus, Buffon: “Shall I retire? I could play another 2-3 years”

Memories, between triumphs and some bitterness. Like that game against Manchester United that in 2019 took him away from PSG, after a season that was born as a joke and then lived as the protagonist. Gianluigi Buffon talks to Equipe, who have meanwhile returned to his Juventus, evoking a succession of football souvenirs, which began with Parma, tonight’s rival. At almost 43 years old, the goalkeeper has not yet decided if the current season will be the last season on the field: “Maybe it will continue for two or three more years.”

Beginning

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However, it was from Parma in 1991 that Buffon began the long journey that led to a record 652 Serie A appearances. Starting with his debut in 1995, with the zero to zero imposed on Milan by Baggio and Weah: “The crowning a dream ”, remembers Gigi, who did not expect to debut at 17 years old. But in any case with that joy that has allowed him a long path: “I did not feel the pressure, today instead I am looking for it to be better.” There was no pressure even in the first in the selection, always in a hurry at 19, with Italy playing in Russia a place in the 98 World Cup, in France.

Empty

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A country, the latter, with which it has a particular relationship. With Parma, and against Marseille he won the first trophy: “But we were also lucky because we faced a decimated Marseille.” And against the French, Buffon graduated as World Champion in 2006, thus also avenging the lost European with Trezeguet’s golden goal six years earlier: “But I don’t have a good memory of that night. It is such a big and important event that it devastates you internally, every drop of energy, enthusiasm and lightness attracts you. The pressure devours you. So I don’t have a good memory of the party either. Whether you win or lose, you still feel exhausted. Only later did it become a priceless memory over time because you feel incredibly lucky. ”

Pride

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Buffon has known many defeats, but Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League 2018, with a comeback comeback (0-3, 1-3) is the one he is most proud of: “It is the game that shows that nothing It is impossible and that the strength of men can make the unimaginable possible. The result does not interest me. ”Instead, disappointment is the residual feeling of the first Champions League lost to Milan, in 2003. As for the elimination of the World Cup 2018, later won by France. The country that prevented him from saying goodbye to football: “Almost as a joke I told my agent to call me only if offers came from Real Madrid, Barcelona or PSG. And three weeks later PSG called.”

Future

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A new chapter, lived with passion, but which ended with a mistake in the quarterfinals of the Champions League against United. But not on the pitch, as the French media often blame him: “The mistake was not to bother and pressure his teammates not to take it lightly, after winning 2-0 at Old Trafford.” PSG were beaten 3-1 by surprise: “I think about that match at least three or four times a week.” At the end of the season he said goodbye to PSG: “A team – Gigi observes – that is very close to winning everything, that no longer takes certain things for granted. In this sense, sports director Leonardo, thanks to his Italian culture, can do disappear this risk “Meanwhile, Buffon focuses on the present:” Although I still think about the future, knowing serenely that it could stop in June. But I still do not know what will happen, if I stop or continue for two or three years. It will depend on me physical state and from motivation “.