Italy's legendary Buffon named goalie of the year
Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon has been named goalkeeper of the year at Fifa’s awards for the world’s finest footballers.
The Azzurri’s legendary goalie beat Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich and Keylor Navas of Real Madrid to take the first ever title of The Best FIFA Goalkeeper at a ceremony in London on Monday night.
Buffon, who captains both the Italian national side and Serie A champions Juventus, said it was “a great honour to have received this award at my age”.
Gianluigi Buffon struggles to hold it together after collecting his The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award. pic.twitter.com/TaZlephnsi
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) October 23, 2017
At 39, “Gigi” is a veteran of world football. This month he celebrates 20 years playing for his country.
He’s leading Italy in their World Cup 2018 campaign, but has said he’s “99.9 percent certain” it will be his last tournament at home or abroad.
“I’m going to have one final, intense season, rich in big moments, and then it will be time to say enough is enough,” Buffon told Sky Sport 24 in June.
#TheBest Awards ? ?#Buffon named best goalkeeper of 2017 and #Bonucci makes the Team of the Year!
? https://t.co/oVHEcATbot pic.twitter.com/06j3xG1iR2
— Italy (@azzurri) October 24, 2017
Both Buffon and Italy centre-back Leonardo Bonucci were picked for Fifa’s World 11 of 2017 at Monday’s awards.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was named Best Men’s Player for the second year in a row, while Dutch midfielder Lieke Martens took the women’s title.
Comments
See Also
The Azzurri’s legendary goalie beat Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich and Keylor Navas of Real Madrid to take the first ever title of The Best FIFA Goalkeeper at a ceremony in London on Monday night.
Buffon, who captains both the Italian national side and Serie A champions Juventus, said it was “a great honour to have received this award at my age”.
Gianluigi Buffon struggles to hold it together after collecting his The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award. pic.twitter.com/TaZlephnsi
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) October 23, 2017
At 39, “Gigi” is a veteran of world football. This month he celebrates 20 years playing for his country.
He’s leading Italy in their World Cup 2018 campaign, but has said he’s “99.9 percent certain” it will be his last tournament at home or abroad.
“I’m going to have one final, intense season, rich in big moments, and then it will be time to say enough is enough,” Buffon told Sky Sport 24 in June.
#TheBest Awards ? ?#Buffon named best goalkeeper of 2017 and #Bonucci makes the Team of the Year!
— Italy (@azzurri) October 24, 2017
? https://t.co/oVHEcATbot pic.twitter.com/06j3xG1iR2
Both Buffon and Italy centre-back Leonardo Bonucci were picked for Fifa’s World 11 of 2017 at Monday’s awards.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo was named Best Men’s Player for the second year in a row, while Dutch midfielder Lieke Martens took the women’s title.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.