The legendary goalkeeper, nearing mid-forties, returns to the storied arena of Milan, where he first stepped onto the field in December 1996, marking a new era for Parma on Italian football’s grand stage.
Gianluigi Buffon remains a symbol of longevity and consistency, a fact he reaffirmed in a high-stakes cup clash that captivated Italian football. On a memorable night, he stood as a central figure for Parma in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia, facing a fierce Inter side and confirming his status as one of the game’s enduring legends.
The historic keeper, approaching his 45th birthday, took the field atSan Siro as one of Parma’s starting guards in a game that carried the weight of qualification for the quarter-finals of the national cup. It was a return to the Meazza stadium after nearly three decades, reconnecting Buffon with a venue that had witnessed his emergence as a prodigious talent.
The Italian shot-stopper had made his professional debut there on December 22, 1996, at just 18 years old, when Parma edged Milan 1-0 thanks to Mario Stanic’s goal. That day launched a remarkable career that would define a generation in Italian football.
For Buffon, who lifted the world crown with Italy in Germany in 2006, this match was officially his 50th appearance at the Meazza. A win seemed within reach, but Lautaro Martinez equalized for Inter in extra time, and in the 110th minute Acerbi struck to swing the result. Buffon could have altered the ending, but the late moment proved decisive in a dramatic cup tie.
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