It has ever been a dream for every player to earn a maximum number of caps playing for his club and this achievement often stands him in line with legendary players who have proved their class in the past. Italian soccer is something that is known for its longest running history and some of biggest stars of the game. Gianluigi Buffon, the 36-year-old legendry Juventus goalie, is going to name himself among some all-time most played players in national history with his 500th appearance for the Bianconeri against Genoa this Wednesday. On this occasion, he is going to wear a captain’s armband emblazoned with the No 500 to mark the landmark match. The feat is significant since only six players have played more games than him for any club in Italian history. While Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Franco Baresi, Javier Zanetti, and Giuseppe have all retired, Francesco Totti is still playing for Roma. Today, when not a single player can confirm his inclusion in the final eleven, Buffon has been playing as the number one goal post holder since more than a decade now. Moreover, he has also been the first choice for national duty along with serving Vecchia Signora.
If we look at his achievements playing for the side, Juventus has won five Serie A titles including three that happened consecutively. Moreover, he has also been the IFFHS Goalie of the year for four times along with being named as the goalkeeper of the decade in 2012. This is just a small list of his feats he achieved playing for the Italian side since 2001 when he was the most expensive goalkeeper in the history with a £38million price tag. Like any proud coach, Massimiliano Allegri talked about his goalie’s upcoming feat during a news conference where he said, “It’s a goal that very few get to realize. Gigi deserves it and I think he still has a lot more to give because he’s got the enthusiasm of a young boy with the serenity and wisdom of a veteran. He’s a veteran in football terms, but still young in life. Let’s just see if I name him in the team.
“It’s an added bonus to have him in the side. Also in terms of his professionalism in the dressing room, it’s great for the younger players to have people like him, Barzagli, Chiellini and Pirlo around — they are an example for anybody who is new here.”
