In the world of international football, they don't come much more respected than Gianluigi Buffon.The eternally brilliant Italian commands praise from all corners of the globe and even now in his thirty-second year he still gets linked to the biggest clubs in Europe, despite the inevitable price that would be required.
Rumours of a summer transfer to the Premier League seem to gather pace with every passing day and perhaps playing abroad is one of the few things left to accomplish for the veteran 'keeper.
Buffon's move from his first club, Parma, to Juventus in 2001, sent shockwaves around the footballing world when he made the switch for over £23 million, an amount that still remains the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper.
Perhaps even more impressive than his exemplary club record - UEFA Cup winner, Italian Cup winner and twice a Serie A winner - is his incredible international career. South Africa will be Buffon's fourth World Cup and the Italy legend has more than proven his ability on the big stage.
In Italy's victorious campaign at Germany 2006 Buffon kept five clean sheets in seven matches including a 453 minute streak without conceding. Buffon's form was influential in Italy's run to glory and he'll be hoping to provide the same stronghold this time around in South Africa.
Buffon reached the magical mark of one hundred caps for his country earlier this year and will be looking to add seven more to that total this summer.
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