Gianluigi Buffon, former goalkeeper for Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Italian national team, now head of delegation for the Azzurri under coach Luciano Spalletti, recalled in an exclusive interview with Corriere della Sera, what happened with Paolo Maldini during the Parma-Milan 0-0 match on November 19, 1995.
Exactly 29 years ago, it was the day of his Serie A debut.
Here's what Buffon said:
"In the tunnel, I crossed paths with the gazes of George Weah, Zvonimir Boban, Alessandro Costacurta, and Franco Baresi. At one point, I felt a pat on my shoulder. It was Paolo Maldini, encouraging me."
Buffon added:
"He, too, had debuted in Serie A as a youngster and understood what it meant. I’ve never forgotten that gesture. Paolo Maldini wasn’t just an extraordinary footballer; he has the two qualities I admire most in a man,loyalty and courage."
