Gianluigi Buffon has rejected Number 1 shirt and captain’s armband upon Juventus return.
Former Juventus Skipper announced his decision to rejoin the club after a two-year spell with Paris Saint Germain. Upon his return to the club in a one-year contract, players, in the notion of respect, gave him number one shirt and captain’s armband, but he did not intend to fill those two slots.
Wojciech Szczesny played second fiddle to Buffon before the Italian International’s move to PSG in 2017. Following his departure from the club, the Polish International took his unoccupied number 1 jersey. In the almost opposite, Gigi will play understudy to the 29-year-old in the upcoming season.
Giorgio Chiellini was named as Buffon’s successor after the shot-stopper’s exit in 2017. Learning the transfer, Chiellini handed him the captain’s armband, but Buffon refused to take it.
Gigi Buffon captained the Old Lady after Alessandro Del Piero’s pull-out in 2012. He captained them to numerous Serie A glory and twice to the Champions League final.
Buffon said: “Szczesny wanted to give me number 1 and Chiellini the captain’s armband, but I’m not here to take anything away from anyone, but to give,” he said.
“I’ll be proud to have a captain like Giorgio, who is a brother. that I had in Parma. Then after that year I went to Juve.
“I am happy and excited, despite the almost 42 years. This was the best choice, because I was looking for strong emotions. Juve does not give anything, if I am here I have to thank everyone.
“I expect to take satisfaction from the people I consider as brothers. The choice may seem little inclined to what I am, but the motivation is what I said a month ago: playing another year trying some strong emotions.
“With Sarr we met, he made an excellent impression, which was the one he gave to everyone on the day of the press conference. Playing with Cristiano is beautiful. I played with Neymar and Mbappé, now I play with Ronaldo.
“I have not yet spoken as a companion. I left a very strong Juve and found it even stronger. Seeing the venue today, I found a world turned upside down in positive evolution. Those who lead Juve have clear ideas.”
Since he is going to play a very minimal part in the upcoming season, he has opted to print number 77 on the back of his shirt – a number which he previously wore at Parma.
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What’s next?
Gigi Buffon will act as a backup for Wojciech Szczesny at Juventus this season.
