#2 Gianluigi Buffon - €52.88m
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Little can be said or written about Gigi Buffon that hasn’t already been covered across various sections of media over the years. He arrived from Parma in 2001 for a figure close to €53m and remained Juve’s most expensive transfer until the current summer. The amount paid for him continues to be the highest ever for any goalkeeper and mind you, this was before TV deals inflated transfer markets to current levels.
In a day and age where money rules hearts (and transfers), few players epitomise the idea of club loyalty like Gigi. When Juventus was rocked by a betting scandal in 2006 and suffered relegation, he chose to stay on despite having a number of suitors. The Italian played his part in the club achieving promotion back to the top tier the following season. This act elevated him to beyond-legendary status in the eyes of the club’s fans and they continue to revere their icon and captain.
However, it is not just emotion – Gigi has been instrumental between the sticks and at 38, continues to be an excellent leader and reader of the game. Buffon’s time at Juve has been full of titles and personal glory as he won 7 Scudettos with the Turin club; he also won the World Cup with the Azzurri in 2006 and in his prime, became one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
He was nominated for the Ballon d’Or numerous times and is the only goalie to have won the ‘UEFA Club Footballer of the Year’ in 2003. The only piece of silverware that has proved elusive during his time in Turin is the Champions League medal; it remains Gigi’s dream to win it with Juve as he embarks upon a new season with them.
