Today on the Players’ Tribune, Italy and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon takes part in an interview with Gerard Piqué to discuss his career, his thoughts on retirement, the current Italy team and his time at Juventus.
JAVASCRIPT
On retirement…
Buffon: “I think that at my age you have to evaluate the situation a month, a week at a time, because it is important for athletes like you and me, who have always played at the top, to be doing our best, struggling to be the best, to stay at the top. You have to be physically well, because you don’t want poor results for the sake of your pride. I’m Buffon and that is who I want to be till the last minute and, when I’m not myself anymore, I’ll go.”
On winning the World Cup in 2006…
Buffon: “I remember a lot of happiness, partying, emotional support. We never felt alone. I have two magnificent memories, the semi-final against Germany in Dortmund.
“2-0, but one of the most nerve-racking moments of my life. When I think about it, I feel bad. How can anybody bear such tension and emotion? Against Germany it was terrible. Then winning 2-0 in extra time… When we got to the hotel at 5 a.m. there were 10,000 people waiting.”
On the talent in the current Italy team…
Buffon: “I can’t believe Italy is not producing talent like before. When I joined the national team, there was Baggio, Del Piero, Totti, Inzaghi, Montella, Vieri… Great talented players. In the last 10 years Italy has a good team, we’re not a bad team at all, but without the talented players we used to have. Without a certain class of players, it is difficult to get results, victories. Pride and the sense of belonging have improved over these 10 years. We have had a poor record, but we did get to the European finals in 2012, a good presence in 2016, as our pride helps us do more than we could hope for.
“Serie A might be lower level, but if you continue to produce good players, they’ll go off to play for Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid. The national team stays high level. However, except Verratti, who plays in Paris Saint-Germain, we don’t have players, except Juventus, who play for the great teams in Europe. That’s the issue.”
On sticking with Juventus…
Buffon: “When I decided to stay in Serie B, I was glad to do so, because I think there are some men, some players, who have the opportunity to give the sport some hope through their decisions, for the public, for the fans. It was a time when somebody like me needed to send a message: that players have feelings too and there is more to life than popularity and money… I would do it again. Then we won Serie B, it was a fun year. And after two good years being 2nd or 3rd came 2 or 3 very bad years, when Juventus was unrecognisable, we lost our spirit, our identity, our work ethic… Some years we finished 6th or 7th, and I said to myself, “Why on Earth did I choose this?””
Thanks to the Players Tribune: https://playerstribu.ne/
Max
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