The former Italian stopper has launched his autobiography and discusses his career, rivals, health and more.
Sincerity has always been a hallmark of Gianluigi Buffon, one of the reasons why he is so loved, in addition to his immense talent. Of course, that ability was usually only more frustrating for opposing attackers and fans. The 46-year-old former goalkeeper, now manager of the Italian national team, today releases his autobiography in Italy, entitled 'Cadere, rialzarsi, cadere, rialzarsi' ('Fall, get up, fall, get up').
To mark the occasion, he gave an extensive interview to Corriere della Sera in which he reflected on his career. Here are some excerpts.
“There is something masochistic about goalkeepers. The pitches of my youth were the same as in the 1970s: the penalty area was as hard as concrete. You can recognize old goalkeepers by their battered hands, sore sides and the countless times they fell to the ground bleeding. I only had one agent, Silvano Martina, and I chose him because his hands were covered in scars, the goalkeeper's hands.”
Madness:
“There's something strange about me. Goalkeepers talk to themselves, to their gloves. And above all, I have a good dose of insolence. Without that I wouldn't have survived. Try to make your Serie A debut at 17, with Parma in the lead and as many points as AC Milan.”
First match:
“I remember the looks of Weah, Boban, Costacurta, Baresi. Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Paolo Maldini who encouraged me. He also debuted as a kid, so he knew what it meant. I have never forgotten that gesture. Maldini was not just an extraordinary footballer; He has the two qualities I admire most: loyalty and courage.”
Rivals:
“I remember a Benfica striker deliberately stamping on my hand. It hurt like hell. He looked at me without the slightest intention of apologizing. But I swear, I can't remember his name. If I saw him again, I would have two words for him. I forget negative people.”
Best opponent:
“It's difficult to choose. I played against three generations: Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, Cristiano, Iniesta… Choose one? Neymar. For the player he is and the person he is, he should have won five Ballon d'Ors.”
Champions League:
“Barcelona in 2015 and Real Madrid in 2017 were the best teams of the last twenty years. And in 2003 I lost the final to Shevchenko's Milan…”
Depression:
“At the end of 2003, after two Scudetti in a row, I reached a low point. I felt an emptiness inside me, started to sleep poorly and had panic attacks. During a Juve-Reggina match I had an anxiety attack on the pitch. I couldn't breathe and thought I couldn't play. Ivano Bordon, our goalkeeping coach, told me I didn't have to play. I looked at our backup, Chimenti – a good friend – and thought this was a crucial moment. If I didn't go back, I might never play again. I returned, made a decisive save and we won 1-0. But the problem did not disappear. Dr. Agricola confirmed it: depression.”
Recovery:
“I turned down medications because I was afraid of dependency. They suggested that I find new passions outside of football, and I discovered painting. There was a Chagall exhibition in Turin, and I was fascinated for an hour by a simple painting: Chagall holding hands with his wife Bella as she hovered above him. I came back the next day and the cashier told me it was the same exhibit. I replied, “I know, I just want to see it again.”
Errors:
“I had the problem that I wouldn't finish school, and two masseurs urged me to get a fake diploma. It was incredible naivete, and I paid for it.”
About fascism and that number 88:
“I had no idea that the number 88, which I wore, was associated with 'Heil Hitler.' For me it just meant having 'four balls'. I'm not a fascist or racist. I named my first son Louis Thomas, after my childhood idol, Thomas N'Kono. I was the only European to attend his farewell match in Cameroon, and it is a great memory.”
End of career and that special song:
“I turned down the national team when Di Biagio asked me to return to help Donnarumma adapt. The media and social networks said that I didn't want to make space, that I was too old. It was clearly orchestrated, perhaps by a cop. Gravina offered me a farewell match, but I declined. Gasperini told me that we would have won the Champions League with him at Atalanta.
“Pirlo convinced me to stay at Juve. Then I got an offer from Barcelona as a reserve goalkeeper, and I liked the idea of playing with Messi after Cristiano. But one day, while driving past the toll booth in Parma, I heard a song I hadn't heard in ten years: 'Bella' by Jovanotti. It felt like a sign to end where it all started.”
About Messi and Cristiano:
“After the 2015 Champions League final, Messi put a hand on my back and said: 'Gigi, shall we swap shirts now?' The great ones are never arrogant. As for Cristiano, we have always had a great relationship. I saw in him a powerful force, but also a deep vulnerability, linked to the absence of his father and the difficult path he had to walk. ”
Totti:
“He was my real partner along the way. A bit cheeky, with his Roman accent, two years older than me. I met him in the under-16 national team. We hit it off straight away. He is a thoroughbred, someone you just have to love and protect.”
Gambling:
“It was my weakness. To some it is a vice; for me it was adrenaline. But I never did anything illegal. I have never been investigated because I never bet on football, only tennis and American basketball. Now I go to the casino two or three times a year, but I don't feel the need for it anymore.”
About Cassano and Balotelli:
“We always got along well with Cassano. During a month-long training camp, he was the perfect teammate: he brought energy and filled the voids. But I said to him: 'In a whole season I don't know if I can handle you' (laughs). As for Balotelli, he lost focus on becoming the champion he had the potential to be. It moves me to see him try again with Genoa at the age of 34.”
Zidane in the 2006 final:
“I called the referee because I was afraid Materazzi wouldn't get up. I had just stopped a Zidane header that felt like a cannonball; he almost broke my hand. Thirty seconds later I realized that the red card for our strongest opponent was undoubtedly an advantage.”
Coaches:
“I had drill sergeants who pushed players to the limit: Scala, Capello, Conte. And psychologists who calmed down players: Ancelotti, Allegri.”
At Capello:
“I was playing an extraordinary match and he called me in to watch the tape. He said, 'Gigi, this isn't good enough.' That really hurt.”
On Allegri:
“Compared to Conte, who insulted us non-stop, Allegri looked like an angel. One time he simply wrote a number three on the board and said, 'You are three times better than the opponent. Now go win. ''
On Lippi:
“He was a mix. After the World Cup disaster in South Africa, he said: 'It's not your fault; it's on me for being stupid enough to call you. ''
On Conte:
“When I heard he was going to Napoli, I said: 'The Azzurri will finish first or second this year.'”
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