The legendary Gianluigi Buffon celebrates his 45th birthday on the pitch in a Serie B match against Cosenza alongside his childhood team and the club he made his debut for 28 years ago, Parma.

Gigi Buffon, made his debut at the age of 17

Buffon was born on January 28, 1978 and made his senior football debut in 1995, returning to Parma at the age of 43 and recently impressing in the Coppa Italia against Inter Milan, according to The Mirror.

A 17-year-old goalkeeper keeping a clean sheet against AC Milan would still have impressed, but at the time the Rossoneri were coming off the Champions League final and chasing the title with the likes of George Weah, Roberto Baggio and Zvonimir Boban

Whole career in Juventus

He stayed at Parma until 2001, despite mass departures from the team to stronger formations in Serie A. He arrived at Juventus (Torino) already as a starter in Italy’s goal.

He won two titles in a row and played in the Champions League final in 2003. He won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and returned to Juventus, only to find the team relegated after the Calciopoli scandal and opting to stay in Serie B.

“I cannot hide that after five years I was tempted by a new experience. It could have been Milan, Inter or Arsenal, but this club helped me win and become a world champion. I told myself I could last a year in the second division to come back,” said Buffon.

Emotional parting with “Stara”

After 17 years in black and white and many trophies, Gianluigi Buffon shared the starting job with Wojciech Szczesny following the Polish player’s move from Arsenal.

Celebrating his 40th birthday during the season, the goalkeeper announced his retirement from international football and left Juventus at the end of the 2017-18 season.

Forever young and far from retirement

It was not the end of Buffon’s career, who after a year at PSG, in which he won the Ligue 1 title, returned to Juventus, with whom he also broke his league record.

Having left Juventus again at the age of 43, the goalkeeper had yet to write a chapter at his first love, Parma, who had just been relegated from Serie A.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m still fit at 48,” Gigi said in 2022.

Parma failed to gain promotion in its first year, but Gianluigi Buffon is still playing. And even if he will not be on the field for 48 years, a career of more than a quarter of a century is something incredible.