His hunger, enthusiasm and dedication made him a living legend that not only Parma supporters but all soccer fans hope to be able to enjoy for a little longer. This is a side with a difficult present, but a glorious past and I believe a wonderful future to come,' added the shot-stopper.Д«uffon won 27 trophies at club level, alongside the 2006 World Cup with Italy, collecting a record 176 caps with the National team. Yet rather than prompt questions of a man out of control, it is instead presented as the action of a man who was only willing to do things on his. вЂњPeople forget, but Parma are the fourth most successful club in Italy when it comes to winning European silverware. Walking past the World Cup trophy, head bowed, after being sent off in FranceвЂ™s defeat to Italy in the 2006 final for headbutting Marco Materazzi is arguably the defining image of ZidaneвЂ™s career. With the return of Buffon, the American-owned club hopes to climb its way back into Serie A next season. Just five year ago, Parma were declared bankrupt and stuck in the low-level Serie D. MORE FROM FORBES Iowa-Based Krause Group Jumps Into Italian Soccer With $100 Million-Plus Parma Purchase By Kurt Badenhausen It's a really special moment for all of us,' said Kyle Krause, who bought Parma in September 2018. Buffon's return is another validation of that ambition. We are going to bring this legendary club back to its rightful place. вЂњWe are thrilled to welcome Gigi Buffon home. I knew Parma would give me something that no other team could,вЂќ explained the goalkeeper. I had two opportunities to even win the Champions League, but not as a protagonist. вЂњI had other offers, some very nice ones certainly. вЂњThe emotional bond and the feeling that I would work for a cause, the visceral connection with Parma made the difference,' explained Buffon.ДЄccording to Il Corriere dello Sport, Buffon turned down an offer from Barcelona to be the second goalkeeper to Marc-Andre ter Stegen. At the end, he asked if I wanted to come back to Parma,вЂќ Buffon revealed. вЂњI spoke to the president and his son after the game. The idea of returning to the Parma came after Juventus played against the Ducali in the Italian league, when Buffon chatted with Parma president, Iowa-based businnessman Kyle Klause. Today Gigi Buffon, who counts a digital fanbase about 18 million followers, is one of the most beloved players of all time at international level, thanks to his professionalism and his unique personality.During his welcoming presentation Buffon, who turns 44 next January, said the reason for his return is his вЂњhope is to write a few more important pages in the history of this club.вЂќ He has also been named Goalkeeper of the Year for four consecutive seasons by IFFHS and he is now considered one of the most important goalkeepers in the world. His career started very early, when he was only 17 years old, thanks to his first debut in the top flight with Parma in 1995 and it continued in a crescendo of successes that led him to enter the first team of the Italian national football only two years later.ДЄfter having joined the Bianconeri club, to which he swore allegience for 17 consecutive seasons, Buffon leaves Juventus to live a short break at Paris Saint-Germain winning the French championship.Дuring his career, the goalkeeper wore the Italian jersey from 2007 to 2018 and won a significant amount of awards such as the Golden Foot, the best FIFA Goalkeeper. Gianluigi Buffon is the symbol of Juventus, the Italian football club with which he won ten championships, nine in Serie A and one in Serie B.

Gigi buffon