Gigi Buffon explains why he returned to Parma after two decades as ‘the ideal choice for my final challenge’ and what he learned from Serie B with Juventus.
The goalkeeper is now 43 and signed a two-year contract with the club where his career began back in 1995.
“The only message I wanted to send with this choice was to myself, not anyone else,” said Buffon at his presentation press conference at the Stadio Tardini.
“I know myself and realise that if I am not emotionally invested, I don’t perform as well. I considered my options for three weeks until one day it just hit me like a sneeze. I sent a message to my wife that we were going to Parma. She didn’t expect it, but she trusts me and my sensations.”
Buffon’s coach at Parma next season in Serie B will be Enzo Maresca, who is two years his junior and played with him at Juventus.
“We spoke two or three times, but primarily discussing tactics. I think that I am still a good goalkeeper, if I am totally involved, otherwise I’d risk embarrassing myself. Parma is the ideal choice for my final challenge.
“Inevitably, the man Gigi has changed from the ages of 23 to 43, otherwise it would be worrying if I didn’t! I have been able to dominate my irreverent and jokey personality, but I still use it as fuel. I need that lad’s dreams to keep going.”
Yet some of the fans were not too welcoming to Buffon, calling him a ‘mercenary’ for joining Juventus in 2001.
“I was always touched by the response when I did return here. I too always spoke about Parma in glowing terms, although I would hate to ever be a divisive figure at any club, otherwise I’d have disappeared. Respect, love and admiration all have to be earned.”
This will be Buffon’s second season in Serie B, after the post-Calciopoli campaign of 2006-07 when the Bianconeri were demoted.
“I chose Juve in 2006, not Juve in Serie B. In 2021, I choose Parma, not Parma in Serie B. The ball is still round, the victories are still worth three points and whoever concedes the fewest goals will go into Serie A. I still enjoy my football and will continue as long as I have that passion.
“I remember in 2006, it took us a while to settle into the new mentality and we had a few draws. I learned from that and know what I’m going into, it requires humility and determination.
“The same people who lectured everyone about the Super League then asked me why I was going into Serie B. Football is about the emotions and the challenges.”
There was also a more personal reason why Buffon was returning to the Stadio Tardini after two decades.
“If I made this choice, it was also so that a whole other generation could say they watched Buffon play for their beloved team, and that means a lot to me.
“My children don’t know what I was like at Parma or what this club and city represented for me, and that disturbed me. I as a father wanted to pass that experience on to my children, and to my wife, and the best way was to come back here, so they can feel it first-hand.”
Gigi is back #Buffon pic.twitter.com/bcCylBKmnq
— Francesco Porzio (@fraporzio95) June 22, 2021