Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Buffon
Legendry goalkeeper Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Buffon will add yet another milestone to his illustrious career in the Italian Super Cup Final but has not plans of quitting the game.
Buffon has played 599 competitive games for the Bianconeri since moving from Parma for a world-record fee in 2001, and will reach the 600 game milestone against AC Milan today at Al Sadd Stadium.
“I don’t think it’ll be my last and it won’t be my last. There’s still a little something to give,” Buffon said at a pre-match press conference.
“I’m glad someone is counting for me,” the 38-year old, Italy’s most capped player with 161 appearances said.
Asked as to how he keeps motivating himself Buffon said: “The motivation is the same, in the sense that we know we’re competing in the final, a match where you get no second chance, so that ensures the motivation is very high.”
“I’m definitely happy to start in the final where there’s a trophy to be won. Like all trophies, like all one-off matches and finals, we’ll do everything to get the final victory,” he added.
Buffon said his teammates are determined to win today match after the loss to Napoli in the Italian Super Cup final in Qatar two years back.
“I often think back to when we lost here to Napoli and it still burns. So we will give everything and do everything to win. I haven’t thought about losing twice in a row. It’s a good thing not to get used to defeat and instead get used to winning.”
Buffon said Juventus will try to avenge their Serie A loss to Milan.
“They’re definitely very dangerous; we really respect Milan because we’ve already lost to them at San Siro this season. Even in recent years, where we’ve taken all three points more often than not, they’ve always caused us problems, so we have high levels of respect and alertness, because you don’t want to waste these opportunities.”
Commenting on 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Buffon said:"It will be ‘something extraordinary and completely different."
“It’s also true that the world is evolving and chances have to be given to those who have the strength, energy and innovation to a higher quality and possibly better product. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be something extraordinary and completely different,” feels Buffon.
“Clearly we’ll look at it at the end ( of the World Cup) and see whether or not it’s a success. The potential is there though,” he added.
Buffon said sports is moving in a new direction.
“When you want to sell a spectacular product commercially, it’s normal that you should have characters that arouse interest elsewhere, and then you have to ensure highly competitive teams with recognisable and recognised players.
“Basically this is the direction of every sport, not just football. We’ve seen with the NFL that for three or four years they’ve been playing a game or two in London, altering the revenue they were used to.
