Understandably, the atmosphere was tense ahead of Italy’s crucial World Cup qualifier with Sweden on Monday night.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, all those in attendance at Milan’s San Siro were well aware that there was a very real possibility that Italy, four time world champions, would be missing out on a place in next summer’s tournament in Russia.
Gianluigi Buffon, who has said he will retire from football after the next World Cup, also received plenty of attention prior to kick-off. With Italy’s hopes of qualification in the balance, many were also aware that this was quite possibly his final appearance for his country.
As the Swedish anthem was drowned out by boos and whistles from the Italian crowd, the cameras briefly cut away from the away team to focus on the Juventus goalkeeper, who, in response, chose to applaud the anthem – a gesture that went down extremely well with many of those watching.
https://twitter.com/photosofootball/status/930162314627731456
Gigi Buffon clapping Sweden national anthem while Italian fans booo #ITASWE pic.twitter.com/yL3qIGUyfd
— Scot Munroe (@scot_munroe) November 13, 2017
Buffon applauds Swedish anthem while Italian fans whistle it. Class act from a class man. #ITASWE pic.twitter.com/wda4JyXNNA
— Iain Clark (@IainClark38) November 13, 2017
Buffon is a class act. Man clapping at the Swedish anthem while the Italian fans boo
— Imran (@Abou_Sidra_) November 13, 2017
Buffon clapping the Swedish anthem whilst all the Italian fans boo it he just oozes class #ITASWE
— Ian Harrington (@Harry20Cork) November 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/DevnDevs/status/930159472680431617
Buffon applauding Swedish anthem while Italian fans booed it. Pure class #ITASWE
— Fulham Socialist (@FulhamSocialist) November 13, 2017
Just when you thought you couldn’t love the bloke any more.
