It’s easy to see why he’s a keeper.
Gianluigi Buffon is not your average number one. Not only is he a bona fide legend of the game for both club and country, but the 38-year-old stopper is something of a sensitive soul who always wears his heart on his sleeve. Or glove.
During Sunday’s Turin derby, the Juventus man added yet another accolade to his CV by breaking Serie A’s all-time record for not conceding a goal. Torino’s solitary effort in the 64th minute ended a remarkable 973 minutes of valiant stubbornness.
Buffon being Buffon, he celebrated via a very flowery note to his beloved crossbar and posts. That’s right – a love letter to his goal.
Here’s the original Italian:
Buffon writes an open letter to the goal he defends. Wonderful pic.twitter.com/vhrBuu9kgn
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) March 21, 2016
And here’s the quite remarkable translation into English:
I was 12-years-old when I turned my back on you.
I denied my past to guarantee a secure future. A choice of the heart, a choice of instinct. From the day I stopped looking at your face though, I began to love you. To protect you. To be your first and last line of defence.
I promised myself I’d do everything to cover your face, or as much as I could. Every time was painful, having to turn round and realise I’d let you down.
We’re always opposite and complementary, like the moon and the sun, forced to live together while never being able to touch. Teammates for life who are denied contact.
Over 25 years ago I cast my vote, I swore to protect and guard you, to shield you against your enemies.
I always thought about your wellbeing, over and above my own. Every time I turned to look at you I tried to bear your disappointed expression head-on, while always consciously feeling guilty.
I was 12 when I turned my back on the goal, and I’ll continue to do so as long as my legs, my head and my heart hold out.
John Keats, eat your heart out.
