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Gianluigi Buffon birthday: Cliches apart, 8 facts about the Azzurri, Juventus legend

Buffon has been denying strikers joy and glory for over two decades now. One of the finest goalkeepers in history, 'Gigi' turns 43 today, but refuses to leave behind his love for the game and hang his shoes. Here are 8 things all fans would love to know about the Italian legend.
When he started playing football, Buffon was not a goalkeeper but a midfielder. Later, he gave the position in front of the post a shot as running around with the ball made him very tired. (Photo | AFP)
When he started playing football, Buffon was not a goalkeeper but a midfielder. Later, he gave the position in front of the post a shot as running around with the ball made him very tired. (Photo | AFP)
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When Brazil legend Pele named the 'FIFA 100 list of world's greatest living players' in 2004, Buffon was one among the 10 shot-stoppers who made it to the list. (Photo | AFP)
When Brazil legend Pele named the 'FIFA 100 list of world's greatest living players' in 2004, Buffon was one among the 10 shot-stoppers who made it to the list. (Photo | AFP)
Talking to 'Football Italia' during an exclusive interview in 1999, Buffon had said that he isn't a very social person. “I love to stay at home read my fan mail and play on my Playstation,” he had said. (Photo | AFP)
Talking to 'Football Italia' during an exclusive interview in 1999, Buffon had said that he isn't a very social person. “I love to stay at home read my fan mail and play on my Playstation,” he had said. (Photo | AFP)
The record for the longest clean sheet in Italian football history belongs to Buffon when he guarded The Old Lady's net without conceding a single goal for 973 minutes in the 2015-16 season. (Photo | AFP)
The record for the longest clean sheet in Italian football history belongs to Buffon when he guarded The Old Lady's net without conceding a single goal for 973 minutes in the 2015-16 season. (Photo | AFP)
When Juventus decided to buy Buffon from Parma in 2001, the deal was made at a world-record sum of £32.6 million as no European club ever had spent so much money on a shot-stopper. Almost after two decades, Gigi's transfer sum remains the fifth costliest in history -- only behind Kepa (Che), Alisson (Liv), Courtois (Real) and Ederson (Man City). (Photo | AFP)
When Juventus decided to buy Buffon from Parma in 2001, the deal was made at a world-record sum of £32.6 million as no European club ever had spent so much money on a shot-stopper. Almost after two decades, Gigi's transfer sum remains the fifth costliest in history -- only behind Kepa (Che), Alisson (Liv), Courtois (Real) and Ederson (Man City). (Photo | AFP)
When Buffon made his debut at the age of 17 against AC Milan, George Weah was part of the 'Rossoneri'. 24 years later, Buffon played with 18-year-old Timothy Weah at PSG - who is the son of his former rival and current Liberian President! (Photo | AFP)
When Buffon made his debut at the age of 17 against AC Milan, George Weah was part of the 'Rossoneri'. 24 years later, Buffon played with 18-year-old Timothy Weah at PSG - who is the son of his former rival and current Liberian President! (Photo | AFP)
Buffon won the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year Award a record 12 times. (Photo | AFP)
Buffon won the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year Award a record 12 times. (Photo | AFP)
For everything he's won, there is one which still eludes him. Buffon has openly said to win the UEFA Champions League is one of his biggest dreams and it is yet to come true. Hopefully, chances are not bleak for him to win one with the likes of Ronaldo, Dybala and De Ligt strenthening the Juve line-up recently. (Photo | FIFA World Cup Official)
For everything he's won, there is one which still eludes him. Buffon has openly said to win the UEFA Champions League is one of his biggest dreams and it is yet to come true. Hopefully, chances are not bleak for him to win one with the likes of Ronaldo, Dybala and De Ligt strenthening the Juve line-up recently. (Photo | FIFA World Cup Official)
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