Gianluigi Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon is an Italian former goalkeeper who captained Italy to victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and became one of football’s most decorated goalkeepers.

2006 FIFA World Cup: The international football tournament held in Germany, won by Italy after a final against France. Buffon captained Italy and kept five clean sheets during the tournament.
Goalkeeper (association football): The player positioned to defend a team’s goal, with special permission to handle the ball inside the penalty area. It was Buffon’s position throughout his professional career.
Marcello Lippi: An Italian football manager who coached Italy to victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Lippi selected Buffon as Italy’s first-choice goalkeeper and captaincy figure.
Serie A: Italy’s top professional association football league. Buffon’s appearances and achievements made him one of the league’s defining long-serving players.
2006 FIFA World Cup Final: The final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, in which Italy defeated France on penalties. Buffon made key saves before Italy won the shootout.
Penalty kick: A direct shot at goal awarded for certain fouls inside the penalty area, taken from the penalty mark. Buffon’s penalty saves became a notable part of his international and club record.
Fabio Cannavaro: An Italian former defender who captained Italy to the 2006 FIFA World Cup title. Cannavaro and Buffon anchored Italy’s celebrated defensive unit.
Italy national football team records and statistics: Compiled records and statistics for Italy’s men’s national association football team. Buffon holds Italy’s men’s caps record, with 176 appearances.
Italy national football team: The national association football team representing Italy in international competitions. Buffon earned 176 caps and captained the side to its 2006 world title.
Shot-stopping: A goalkeeper’s ability to prevent shots from entering the goal through saves and blocks. Buffon was renowned for reflex saves and handling shots from close range.

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Paolo MaldiniCompared with: Buffon’s long international career continued beyond Maldini’s, whose Italy record he later surpassed.