Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon revealed, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, that he faced depression 20 years ago, during his time at Juventus. Buffon shared details about how art was crucial to getting through this dark time, as well as touching on topics like gambling addiction.
In late 2003, Buffon, then 25, felt an “emptiness” after two consecutive Serie A titles. The impact affected his sleep and mental health, culminating in a panic attack before a game. “I said to myself, ‘Gigi, if you don’t play this time, it sets a precedent and you won’t be able to play next time'”, he said.
On the recommendation of a psychotherapist, Buffon found refuge in art. While visiting a gallery in Turin, he was fascinated by Marc Chagall’s The Promenade, which helped alleviate his anxiety.
Buffon admitted that betting was a weakness, but assured that he never broke the rules: “I never bet on Juve, the national team or football. I preferred basketball and tennis. Today, I go to the casino two or three times a year.”
Buffon is widely recognized as one of the greatest goalkeepers in history. He won ten Serie A titles with Juventus, the UEFA Cup with Parma, and was world champion with Italy in 2006. With 657 games, he is the record holder for appearances in Serie A. He is currently part of Luciano Spalletti’s coaching staff in the Italian team.