On Sunday, legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon etched his name in the record books, as he helped his Juventus team sweep aside Torino 4-1 in Serie A.
The 38-year-old shot-stopper shattered the record of former AC Milan custodian Sebastiano Rossi for the longest streak without conceding a goal, which previously stood at 929 minutes, with the Juve captain surpassing that tally to reach 974 minutes.
Buffon’s record-breaking clean sheet run eventually came to an end in the weekend clash, as the Azzurri international was finally beaten at goal courtesy of a spot kick.
Nonetheless, Gianluigi, who has spent 20 devoted seasons of his illustrious in between the sticks, was proud of his latest achievements, even writing a letter to his goal on Facebook.
Taking to his official account, the Italian poured his heart out in an emotional – some may same bizarre – message to the Bianconneri goal in which he vows to continue protecting and guarding it from opponents.
“I was 12-years-old when I turned my back on you,” Buffon wrote.
Avevo 12 anni quando ti ho voltato le spalle. Rinnegai il mio passato per garantirti un futuro sicuro. Una scelta di...
Posted by Gianluigi Buffon on Monday, March 21, 2016
“I denied my past to guarantee a secure future. A choice of the heart, a choice of instinct. From the day I stopped looking at your face though, I began to love you. To protect you. To be your first and last line of defence.
“I promised myself I’d do everything to cover your face, or as much as I could. Every time was painful, having to turn round and realise I’d let you down.
“We’re always opposite and complementary, like the moon and the sun, forced to live together while never being able to touch. Teammates for life who are denied contact.
“Over 25 years ago I cast my vote, I swore to protect and guard you, to shield you against your enemies.
“I always thought about your wellbeing, over and above my own. Every time I turned to look at you I tried to bear your disappointed expression head-on, while always consciously feeling guilty.
“I was 12 when I turned my back on the goal, and I’ll continue to do so as long as my legs, my head and my heart hold out.”
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