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Gianluigi Buffon, one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, has shared an intriguing story about a potential move to Barcelona that never materialised.
Buffon, who is best known for his long career at Juventus and is now an assistant coach for Italy, opened up about this offer in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
The goalkeeper, who has seen it all during his time at the top level, reflected on the decisions and moments that shaped his career.
Reason to reject Barcelona
Buffon revealed that Barcelona had offered him the chance to join the club as a second-choice goalkeeper. The idea of playing alongside Lionel Messi, after having spent years facing Cristiano Ronaldo, was an attractive prospect.
“I had an offer from Barcelona to be second goalkeeper: I liked the idea of playing with Messi, after CR7,” he began by saying.
Buffon rejected an offer from Barcelona. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
However, Buffon explained that fate had other plans for him. While driving one day, he heard a song by the famous Italian artist Jovanotti called *Bella*, a track he hadn’t listened to in years.
At that moment, as he glanced up, he saw the Parma sign on the motorway. For Buffon, this felt like a sign, a powerful message from destiny.
It was at that moment that he made the decision to return to Parma, the club where it all began for him, instead of joining Barcelona.
“One day, however, I was driving and on the radio, they played a song by Jovanotti that I liked and that I hadn’t heard for ten years: ‘Bella’.
“I looked up and saw the Parma sign on the motorway. It was a sign. And that’s how I ended my career, where it all began,” he noted.
Praise for Neymar
Meanwhile, when asked about the best player he had ever played against, Buffon mentioned several footballing legends from different generations, including Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Andres Iniesta.
“I played with three generations, how can I say it? Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, CR7, Iniesta.”
Buffon says Neymar should have won multiple Ballon d’Or honours. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
All of these players left a mark on his career, but Buffon was quick to add that if he had to pick one, it would be Neymar.
According to Buffon, Neymar was not only an extraordinary player but also a fantastic person. He firmly believes that Neymar should have won multiple Ballon d’Or awards, claiming that five would have been deserved.
“Neymar. For the player and the boy that he is, he should have won five Ballon d’Or,” he said.
Buffon’s career journey is a testament to his immense talent and the passion he has for the game.
From his iconic days at Juventus to his deep connection with Parma, Buffon’s decision to turn down Barcelona shows that sometimes, destiny leads us to places we least expect but where we truly belong.
