ianluigi Buffon, the legendary Italian goalkeeper, revealed that he once turned down the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona after experiencing a ‘sign’ while driving. This decision, made emotionally, was influenced by an unexpected moment of nostalgia that ultimately changed the course of his career.
In 2021, after deciding to leave Juventus, Buffon attracted interest from several top European clubs eager to leverage his extensive experience. One of the offers came from Barcelona, who were looking for a seasoned goalkeeper to back up Marc-André ter Stegen.
For Buffon, the idea of joining the Catalan giants and playing alongside Messi was undoubtedly tempting. Having shared a locker room with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, the prospect of playing with Messi felt like the perfect way to complete his illustrious career.
The Nostalgic Moment That Changed Buffon’s Decision
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Buffon recalled how a song unexpectedly shifted the trajectory of his life. While driving, he heard the song Bella by Italian singer Jovanotti—a track he hadn’t heard in over a decade.
“I had received an offer from Barcelona to be the second goalkeeper. The idea of playing with Messi, especially after playing with CR7, was very appealing. But one day, while driving, the radio played Bella, a song I hadn’t listened to in ten years,” Buffon explained.
At that moment, Buffon saw a road sign pointing toward Parma, the club where his career began. For Buffon, this felt like a message from destiny, reminding him of the place where it all started.
“I saw the Parma sign on the highway. It was a sign. And that’s how I decided to end my career—by returning to where it all began,” he added.
A Legendary Career Ending at Parma
Buffon returned to Parma in 2021, two decades after leaving the club to join Juventus in 2001. During his second stint at Parma, Buffon made history by becoming the first male goalkeeper in professional football to reach 500 clean sheets.
Although he extended his contract with Parma until 2024, Buffon decided to retire on August 2, 2023, at the age of 45.
His return to Parma was symbolic, marking the closure of an extraordinary career at the club where his legendary journey first began.
