I remember people alleging his chosen shirt number of 88 was a bit fashy, with H being the 8th letter of the alphabet, 88 = Heil Hitler
On it’s own it always seemed a massive reach, without looking into it I assumed that he must have expressed some other sort of semi pro fascist message earlier in his life for people to reach that conclusion.
Buffon was accused of being a fascist after writing a slogan of Benito Mussolini on his shirt while playing for Parma. He insisted that he didn’t know what the words meant.
“They are negative experiences in life that serve to mature you,” he told El Pais in 2013.
"I’m not ashamed of myself because I didn’t do it in bad faith. When I failed, I did it because of ignorance, not to send messages to the outside.
“Mistakes are important because they remind you that you are human. They will remind you that you know nothing, my friend. It’s important because the football world tries to convince you that you’re special, but it reminds you that you’re no different to a barman or an electrician.”
That is what you’d probably say regardless though, innit?
So you were right here.
I’ve never really bought it to the extent of regarding him a fascist, but I also never really found his explanation for the shirt number to be that strong.
“I have chosen 88 because it reminds me of four balls and in Italy we all know what it means to have balls: strength and determination,” he said. “And this season I will have to have balls to get back my place in the Italy team.”
I guess you can get the benefit of the doubt for accidentally promoting fascist slogans or messaging twice, if there was a third example I think I’d be tempted to come to a different conclusion
Someone once told me how Buffon doesn’t need to make many flashy saves because he’s so well positioned most of the times. Arguably the greatest keeper this game has seen.