Gigi Buffon reveals his Juventus dreams, how he keeps motivated, working with Max Allegri and keeping Paul Pogba.
The goalkeeper sat down with Sky Sport Italia to discuss his career.
“Winning the third consecutive Scudetto was my latest dream come true, because it gave us a place in the over 100-year history of Juventus.
“The next dream is of course to make it four in a row, which would make us unique. We also want to go forward in the Champions League, facing up to the challenge aware of our strengths and limitations.
Gigi Buffon reveals his Juventus dreams, how he keeps motivated, working with Max Allegri and keeping Paul Pogba.
The goalkeeper sat down with Sky Sport Italia to discuss his career.
“Winning the third consecutive Scudetto was my latest dream come true, because it gave us a place in the over 100-year history of Juventus.
“The next dream is of course to make it four in a row, which would make us unique. We also want to go forward in the Champions League, facing up to the challenge aware of our strengths and limitations.
“I know that considering the history of Juventus, sooner or later the Champions League will be won. Whether I will be in that team I don’t know. We are working towards this aim, but there are difficulties and not small ones either.”
Pogba is the breakout star emerging in the Juve squad, but there’s talk of overseas clubs offering €100m for the midfielder. Would Buffon cave in for that sum?
“I am glad that I don’t have to make that decision. Those who do make it will know what’s best for the team, the club and the player himself.
“We’ll see if eventual income could help bring in players capable of filling that gap. Before making a decision, the club has to consider it from all angles. I think someone is already reflecting on it…”
The Italy captain revealed he has a technique for keeping motivated at the age of 37.
“Our victories are thanks to years of anger we accumulated when we came back up from Serie B and couldn’t win.
“To keep the ardour going, you must always remember the day you were on the end of a humiliating defeat. That is what motivates you. Every day I wake up and think: I won nothing for four years.”
Those three titles were won under Antonio Conte, but new boss Allegri settled in remarkably quickly.
“The Coach isn’t much of a talker, even if he’s more ‘present’ in the locker room than Conte. When he first arrived, he said something absolutely true: There isn’t just one way of winning and he wanted to propose a different path.
“Knowing Conte, the chance to bring the Nazionale back to the top is too strong a draw for him to walk away. I see Conte wherever there is an immensely difficult challenge that can bring out the animal in him.”
Buffon has now been in Turin for 14 years and looks set to see out his career with the Bianconeri.
“Juventus are like a second mother for me, because this club made me a top level player and put me on the international map.
“Parma will always remain in my heart, because they too helped me become what I would be in the next 14 years at Juventus. Plus a friend of mine always reminds me the only European club trophy I won was with the Gialloblu.”