Gianluigi Buffon has ended his second stint with Juventus, bringing an end to a landmark professional career with the Serie A giants. While the goalkeeping legend's resume only lists three teams, his consistent dominance for more than two decades has resulted in a trophy cabinet brimming with individual and team honours. During that time, the former Parma wunderkind has rubbed elbows with the world’s best, appearing in Serie A, Ligue 1 and World Cup-winning teams.
In recognition of Buffon's illustrious career, a dream XI featuring some of his former teammates have been put together.
GOALKEEPER: GIANLUIGI BUFFON
He has far more Serie A clean sheets than just about any other player and, as skipper of his country from 2010 until his retirement in 2018, will have no trouble getting this squad together. He also boasts of being a five-time member of the UEFA Team of the Year
RIGHT-BACK: LILIAN THURAM
After joining Buffon at Parma after his transfer from Monaco in 1996, Thuram accompanied his friend to Turin for the 2001-02 season. He spent five years at Juventus before ending his career at Barcelona.
CENTRE-BACK: FABIO CANNAVARO
The remarkable similarity of their experiences was completed in 2010 when Buffon obtained the Italy armband from Cannavaro. They both made their Parma premieres in 1995, did the same about Italy in 1997, and were partnered at club level when Cannavaro joined Juve in 2004. Cannavaro is just one of the few defenders to win the Ballon d'Or. In 2006, they have won the World Cup together.
CENTRE-BACK: ALESSANDRO NESTA
Nesta, a long-time competitor at club level, was a member of the legendary Milan team that defeated Juve in the 2002-03 Champions League final – he converted his penalties against Buffon in a 3-2 shootout win – and won it once again four years later. Nesta was selected for the Euro 2000 Team of the Tournament which Buffon ended up missing due to injury, but his 2006 World Cup triumph will certainly be the pinnacle of his career.
LEFT-BACK: PAOLO MALDINI
Maldini, a respectable defender of exemplary endurance, integrity, and governance, paved the way for Buffon to follow. Before his return to Juve, Maldini was the only player to have made more Serie A appearances than the seasoned goalkeeper. Here read what other football players has said about Maldini
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: ANDREA PIRLO
Pirlo had been at the peak when he moved from Milan to Juventus, but he had saved enough of his playmaking genius for Buffon and his teammates as the Bianconeri re-established themselves as Italy's top club with a run of 9 consecutive Scudettos before being ended by Inter this year after their reconciliation as player and head coach did not generate good outcomes.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: PAVEL NEDVED
Nedved's combination of agility, perseverance, and very well technical expertise placed him on the edge of becoming a complete midfielder. He was instrumental in the Czech Republic reaching the final of Euro 1996, and his contribution to Juve was recognized with a Ballon d'Or win in 2003.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: ROBERTO BAGGIO
Buffon and Baggio were sharing the very same jersey for Italy just under two years after Buffon held Baggio and Milan scoreless on his senior start for Parma as a 17-year-old. At the 1998 World Cup, two of Italy's greatest players were in the same team, though Buffon would go one further than the 1993 Ballon d'Or winner. Looking to make some good predictions using your instincts and analysis, sportbet.io, a new generation website, offers a lot of ways to do that.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD: ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO
In the legion of Juve greats, he is on par with others. Buffon and the magnificent Del Piero collaborated to help the Bianconeri win Serie A five times, while also representing Italy for over a period and sharing World Cup glory.
FORWARD: CRISTIANO RONALDO
Buffon's breakup with Paris Saint-Germain coincided with Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Juventus. Juventus were expected to add Champions League glory to their territorial supremacy, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner now has none.
FORWARD: KYLIAN MBAPPE
While they only shared a dressing room for a year, the French sensation is an artist to rival many of the greats who have shared a dressing room with Buffon.
Also Read | Kylian Mbappe Net worth
