Gianluigi Buffon received a special visit from Cameroon legend Thomas N’Kono, ‘the man who made me become a goalkeeper!’
The special encounter happened at Parma’s training ground, where Buffon is now playing with the Serie B club.
“Childhood idols will always remain idols, even decades later,” wrote Buffon on Twitter and Instagram.
“It is always a pleasure to hug my friend Thomas N’Kono, the man who made me become a goalkeeper!”
Buffon has said many times that seeing N’Kono in goal for Cameroon during the 1990 World Cup sparked a lifelong passion inside him, prompting him to change from his original role as a forward to taking the gloves.
His adoration of N’Kono was so great that he even named his son Thomas in honour of the African football legend.
Buffon will later this month celebrate the 26th anniversary of his Serie A debut for Parma, in a 0-0 draw against Milan on November 19, 1995.
SuperGigi was only 17 years, nine months and 22 days old when making his debut, but it was above all only five years since he was inspired by the sight of N’Kono on television in the World Cup.