Buffon: ‘I don’t need Champions League titles to know my worth’

Juventus and Italy legend Gigi Buffon insists he doesn’t  ‘need eight Champions League trophies to know his own worth.’ The Parma goalkeeper was speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento speaking about his career to date and what keeps him going, despite approaching his 45th birthday:

I continue to play for many reasons. Because I still feel strong and competitive, because I feel like I’m taking part in a golden age in sport

I am of an age where I could decide to retire whenever I felt like it, so I’m in control of the situation, but my choices always had reasons behind them. I returned to Parma because I am a happy man seeing how proud the fans are to have me in their goal wearing the Gialloblu colours once again.

I’ve won so much in my life, but also gave up on other titles. I’m happy to have fought to win them, but personally I also achieved success with the affection of the fans.

I don’t need for example eight Champions League trophies to know how good I am. Even without winning those, I know what I’m worth.

I use criticism as fuel, especially the older I get. As a youngster, they really hurt and risk destabilising you. When you are mature, you see them as an incentive. At times, I really needed that criticism, and took notes on who it came from.”