FIFA 2010 World Cup: Italian Goal Keeper and Juventus Star, Gianluigi Buffon, had a surgery
Gianluigi Buffon is one of the World’s best goalkeepers known for his swift movements and his lightning fast reflexes; Not only that but the 32 year old 1.92 metre high goal keeper is currently the world’s most expensive goal keeper when he committed to a transfer of £ 32.6 million to Juventus. He has had 274 appearances for the club while he has been in the Italian squad since 1997.
In the FIFA World Cup 2006, the Italian defence was backed up by their amazing goalkeeper Buffon who was expected to play in this FIFA World Cup to make his team a part of the final stages; but sadly, he could not be a part of his last FIFA World Cup because of his injury.
Buffon came with the Italian squad to this FIFA World Cup 2010, to be a part of the Italian mighty defence, as always. But, sadly, he suffered a back injury right after the 45th minute, and the Italians drew the match 1-1 with Paraguay. Nobody was sure what had happened to him back then but now the club has told that the player is suffering from a herniated disc.
It was expected that he will undergo a surgery as all the experts were talking about it but soon after the knock he suffered against Paraguay, the next morning medical experts told the press that world class goalkeeper had to go through a surgery to be fit for his training. He, therefore, could not be a part of the Italian team in the rest of the group stage matches and was unable to carry his team on as they got eliminated, even though they were the defending champions.
Buffon knew he was in trouble when he felt the pain but still did not give up on the World Cup dream and told after the match against Paraguay that he was up and ready for the next match. He was even willing to postpone his surgery till the World Cup was over.
At that time it was thought that he could recover in time for the next match but further examination and worsening of pain could not even let him practice in the training sessions and though he was present with Italy at all times he knew that he could not participate in the matches.
The Italians lost the last match against Slovakia, and their substitute goalkeeper could not really impress the Italian fans, and conceded 3 goals in a single match. Buffon’s dreams were shattered as he could not be a part of his last World Cup and had to go home along with other players to get operated in Casa di Cura La Madonnina, where many of the medical experts operated him to make him perfect for training with Juventus.
However, the surgery has already been performed but the total diagnosis, results and the recovery time of the shot-stopper would be revealed on Monday. For now, Juventus has called upon the former Milan goalkeeper Marco Storari, to replace him but Buffon is expected to be back by January.
Although the Italian has suffered from a terrible injury, and could not help his country advance to the next round, the 32 year old is experienced enough to take all that and will be back to perform for his club Juventus.
At the end of the tournament, with a 3-2 loss against Slovakia, Italy went back home humiliated presenting one of the worst examples of how to defend a title. They defeated France in the 2006 World Cup held in Germany to win that time but this time, though they had a quite similar squad they had to go back home facing embarrassment.
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