Gianluigi Buffon talks about his depression. © ANSA / FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

Depression: Buffon on his darkest time

Italy’s goalkeeper icon Gianluigi Buffon suffered from depression during his time at Juventus.

19 November 2024

From: dpa

Art helped him out of the difficult crisis, the 46-year-old told the Italian newspaper Corriere della SeraHis psychotherapist advised him to concentrate on other things than just football. Buffon says that it was during this time that he discovered painting.

"I went to the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Turin, where there was a Chagall exhibition. I was stuck for an hour in front of his 'Walk'. It is a simple painting showing Chagall and his wife Bella holding hands, only she is flying. The next day I returned to the exhibition," said the 2006 world champion.

low point in 2003

Buffon experienced his lowest point in 2003: "The championship had started well, but after the upswing came the downturn. I felt emptiness. I started to have trouble sleeping." He had a panic attack before a league game. His coach at the time, Ivano Bordon, offered him a day off, but Buffon declined: "I said to myself: Gigi, if you don't play this time, it will set a precedent and you won't be able to play anymore."

After that, he visited a psychotherapist a few times. She gave him valuable advice to help him get through his crisis, said Buffon. He should not just concentrate on football, which he did immediately. "My life has really been like that: fall down, get up. I made mistakes, like everyone else, and I never hid them."