Buffon talks Zidane’s headbutt, Juve’s scandals and political correctness

Gianluigi Buffon gave a revealing interview today, where he reflected on Zinedine Zidane’s infamous World Cup final headbutt, the things he hates about football and Juventus’ scandals.

The 44-year-old Italian goalkeeper, who is still playing for Serie B side Parma, s[ent 18 years of his professional career with Juventus, where he won a number of major honours. Buffon made 683 appearances across all competitions for the Bianconeri, helping them win 10 Scudetti and six Coppa Italia.

Speaking to France Football, Buffon first discussed what he said to referee Horacio Elizondo following Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.

“Nothing! When I saw what had happened, I reported it with shouts and big gestures to the linesman, spontaneously. At that moment I expected everything but what happened, it was really surprising.

“For us, it was a great chance given the turn the game was taking. Zizou was in incredible form and could change the match.

“It’s a match we played in the best possible way, France were very strong, probably the strongest, you only had to see their play. Only a team with our mentality could’ve won.”

He touched on what he hates about the world of football.

“The clichés. That goes for life in general. It drives me crazy. I believe in individuals and difference based on merit. I also hate political correctness, although I probably do it too. I do it so as not to disrespect others.

“Even true things can be unpleasant, cause harm to someone else, and since it’s all public, it creates it before the eyes of the world, and that’s not nice.

“It happens to me especially when I am asked to judge other players, it annoys me. You always have to say the same things so as not to seem rude.”

The Italian shot stopper commented on why Juventus are involved in so many scandals.

“They always have a sword of Damocles over their head. Between their supporters and their opponents, they are the centre of attention all over Italy. What happens to Juve always makes noise.

“They have been accused of many things, they have often been punished, and more or less for things that other clubs have also committed. And I say this without defending the Old Lady.

“When this happens to Juventus, everyone else protects themselves behind them because they know that they are the ones who generate the loudest uproar.”

He spoke about his partner Illaria D’Amico, who is a journalist, and if that’s changed his opinion on the profession.

“No, I met her when I already had a lot of experience in journalism, I already had an idea. I understand that you do a complicated job, that you have to get the good news, I have great respect for that.

“However, sometimes you completely lack objectivity, you are too conditioned by external factors. A few years ago I saw, for example, that a journalist started to change his opinion based on what he read on social media. The roles were reversed, I thought we were screwed.”

Finally, Buffon discussed if he was angry at missing out on the Ballon d’Or in his career.

“There’s not always logic. In 2003, I was voted best player in the Champions League, a rarity for a goalkeeper, and I didn’t even finish in the top 5 of the Ballon d’Or. Didn’t the journalists notice? Did they lack courage?

“I don’t care because, in the end, I don’t care about certain awards, but I like meritocracy, because it is sport, and I often don’t find it. Besides, for me, the greatest injustice around the Ballon d’Or was that suffered by Iniesta, who was as strong as Maradona, Messi or Ronaldo.”

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