Gianluigi Buffon was a professional soccer player.
Gianluigi Buffon . After joining Juventus in 2001 , Buffon immediately won Serie A titles in both of his first two seasons at the club , and established himself as one of the best players in the world in his position . The Golden Foot award is an international football award , given to players who stand out for their athletic achievements ( both as individuals and team players ) and for their personality . The Italian national football team ( Nazionale di calcio italiana ) represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation ( FIGC ) , the governing body for football in Italy . Juventus Football Club S.p.A. ( from Latin iuventūs , `` youth '' ; [ juˈvɛntus ] ) , colloquially known as Juve ( [ ˈjuːve ] ) , is a professional Italian association football club based in Turin , Piedmont , founded in 1897 by a group of young Torinese students , among them was their first president Eugenio Canfari and his brother Enrico , author of the company 's historical memory . The UEFA Club Footballer of the Year was a football award presented by UEFA to the most outstanding performers of the European club football season .