Gianluigi Buffon was one of the finest goalkeepers the game has known, a commanding, agile presence whose career stretched across more than two decades at the summit. He made his name at Parma before a landmark move to Juventus, where he became a fixture and a leader through triumph and turmoil alike.
With Juventus he collected a long succession of Serie A titles and remained loyal even as the club were demoted, helping to rebuild them. For Italy he was the goalkeeper and eventual captain of the side that won the 2006 World Cup, producing decisive saves throughout the tournament.
Tall, brave and supremely consistent, he set records for appearances and clean sheets and played on into his forties, admired as much for his sportsmanship and authority as for his shot-stopping.