NYON August 27. 2024 (Saba) - The European Football Association (UEFA) has announced that Gianluigi Buffon, the legendary Italian goalkeeper, will receive the UEFA President's Award for 2024.
In a statement released on Monday, UEFA lauded the 46-year-old Buffon for his extraordinary 28-year career, which began with Parma in the mid-1990s.
Buffon’s storied career includes notable achievements such as winning the award for Europe's best goalkeeper at 39, leading Juventus to the Champions League final twice in three years.
The award will be presented to Buffon at the draw ceremony for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League group stage, scheduled for next Thursday in Monaco.
Buffon retired just a year ago, concluding a career that began in November 1995 with Parma.
Over the years, he amassed ten Serie A titles, a UEFA Cup in 1999, six Coppa Italia trophies, and a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.
He holds the records for most appearances in the Italian national team and is the fourth-highest in European history with 176 international caps. Buffon's career peaked in 2006 when he played a pivotal role in Italy’s FIFA World Cup victory in Germany.
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