When, after a full two decades, he arrived in Parma in July 2021, a beloved club where he grew up playing football at the end of the 20th century, Gianluigi Buffon did not hide why he returned: “I came here because of the emotions I have”. For the same reason, the living legend today extended his cooperation with the club from ‘Enio Tardini’ stadium until 2024, which means that he will not end his career before he turns 46. He’s not done yet! 🤩#Buffon2024 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/GMWoym4yCM— Parma Calcio 1913 (@ParmaCalcio_en) February 28, 2022 The legendary goalie played 685 games for Juventus, and he’s second on their eternal only to Alessandro Del Piero. Bufon is the record holder of the Italian national team with 176 appearances, and that achievement will not be surpassed for years. He has 243 appearances for Parma, and 25 for Paris Saint-Germain. That is a total of 1,132 matches in professional football, but the man who defended the colors of Juventus for 20 years wants over 1,200. The end is when Buffon says it’s the end.Gigi returns home after 20 years of absenceThe football CV of one of the best goalkeepers in the history of football is inconceivable – he has the 2006 World Cup, ten Italian championship titles, two appearances in the Champions League finals, which unfortunately he never won. But the fact that he was the best goalkeeper of Serie A 12 times and that UEFA twice chose him as the best keeper, does not bother him to defend in Serie B in the old days, and to be in the middle of the table with his Parma. In his second term at the club, he has played 23 games so far, conceding exactly as many goals, but saving the net on eight occasions.(1.42) ATALANTA (4.50) SAMPDORIA (8.0)Parma decided to hurry up the talks scheduled for the end of the year, given that the old agreement contained a bilateral clause under which both sides would have the right to end the current competition year. A great move by a club in which Buffon is not just a goalkeeper, but a reference, a pattern of behavior, a voice that is unconditionally heard in the locker room. He will keep defending for Parma until 2024, and then we will see if he has a reserved place in the management.
