His first World Cup as a Juventus player, the first as a goalkeeper for the national team. The 2002 that Gianluigi Buffon participated in wasn't a very happy one for Italy, who were eliminated in the Round of 16 by South Korea. However, the Bianconero would go on to more than make up for it just four years later at the next tournament.
A CHAMPION AT 24
A photo that truly represents the passing of the baton. After two years in Italy, Edwin Van der Sar moved to England with Fulham, with Juve investing in Buffon, an absolute talent who exploded at Parma. Gigi had already been with the national team for since 1997, with 2001/02 being the first of an incredible 19 seasons that Buffon would spend in Turin, as he won the title at the age of 24 and left as the greatest of all time in his role.
THE PRESSURE
Buffon soon learns that playing for Juventus represents a higher level of difficulty. Every little inaccuracy is underlined. And for him, who has yet to become the star player in the national team, it's a further challenge to further improve.
THE BEST DEFENCE
Goalkeepers like Buffon – of which there are very few in the world – are said to produce substantial effects on the standings. Juventus-Milan, in the second half of the season is a practical demonstration of this: Juve won 1-0 and to secure the three points the interventions of the number 1 are fundamental. At the end of the championship, the Old Lady boasts the best defence among the 18 teams in Serie A.
THE FIRST SCUDETTO
A photo from the 5th May 2002, when Juve won the Scudetto in Udine. For Buffon it will be the first World Cup experienced as a champion of Italy. The same would happen in 2006, when he becomes world champion. He would once again go in the World Cup 2014 with the same feeling, having just lifted the third-consecutive title under Antonio Conte's management, it would also be the last world cup in which Italy and Buffon participates in to date.