1 – Gianluigi Buffon
From a technical point of view, Gianluigi Buffon is the perfect keeper, even if his performances have slightly dulled in recent years. He is fast like a cat, with tremendous reach and an instinct to use it properly. He is tall, agile and a team motivator, always giving his all for the Azzurri, on the pitch and off it. His reading of the game, and his timing when coming out, is impeccable. He is strong in penalties as well, at least when it matters. It is true that he saved none in the final of 2006, but he stopped a crucial one against Romania in 2008 and once again against England in 2012.
He is Italy’s current captain and has been an undoubted starter for over a decade. His contribution was vital to Italy’s victory in 2006, including a heart-stopping, unreal save on Zinedine Zidane’s header in the final. Like Fabio Cannavaro, he shone brightest at the 2006 World Cup, and as much as Cannavaro did well to reach the Euro 2000 final, Buffon did the same to reach the one in 2012. Both are great players and the choice between them was difficult.
Ultimately the only discriminant – and it is a light one, but what else is there to go on with such champions? – turned out to be atavism. There are several great central defenders in Italy’s history that can stand on a level with Cannavaro, but only Dino Zoff compares to Buffon, and even then, the current captain is probably the one that comes out on top (at least judging by the number of goals they took in their respective World Cup victories). Gianluigi Buffon is not only the greatest keeper in Italian history, but one of the greatest ever to have played. Truly a shining star, and probably the name most likely to be remembered among the defensive players of this decade.
A perfectly crafted list – and i was intrigued after No3 which of Buffon or Cannavaro would be crowned the best. My heart said Cannavaro but the Judge’s words have convinced me – Buffon just shades it.
Brilliant.