Gianluigi Buffon has officially put an expiration date on his career. Earlier this week, the Juventus keeper announced he would retire at the end of this season. The soon-to-be 40 year old has had an exceptional career both domestically and internationally and with the Champions League appearing to be out of his reach this year, he’s decided to call it quits. In honor of the GOAT calling it a career, let’s look back at how life was when Buffon made his debut back in November 15th, 1995.
Fantasy by Mariah Carey was #1 in the Billboard charts
Bulls were 7-1 during their historic 72-10 season
Jordan had decided to end his baseball “career” and came back to lead the Bulls to the first of three titles
The Grammys didn’t even have the “Best Rap Album category”
Many of today’s star players were just kids:
Cristiano Ronaldo was 10 years old, Lionel Messi was 8, Neymar was 3, Paulo Dybala had just turned 2 and Kylian Mbappe wasn’t even born
Toy Story hadn’t come out yet
Jay Z and Eminem hadn’t dropped their debut albums
Since then, Jay Z dropped an album a year between 1996-2003. Released five more between 2006-2017. Even made a classic album with Kanye West (yes, Watch The Throne is a classic dont @ me). AND He married Beyonce, had kids with her.
Meanwhile, Eminem went from an unsuccessful white rapper to working with Dr Dre and becoming one of the greatest rappers of all time. Em dropped nine solo albums and two with his Detroit-based group D12. Became addicted to drugs, almost overdosed and recovered.
Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan hadn’t even been drafted
Bill Clinton was serving his first term as President
Since Buffon’s debut, Clinton served yet another term, George W Bush served two terms, Obama served two, Clinton’s wife ran and almost won, and Trump went from just another succesfull businessman to President.
Hristo Stoichkov was the reigning Ballon D’Or winner
Ajax were the reigning Champions League winners
Tupac and Biggie were still alive
Pac and Biggie went from being at the top of the rap game, were killed and we STILL don’t know who killed them.
The World was a different place back when Buffon made his debut in November 1995. It’ll be a strange feeling watching a Juventus game and not seeing the great Buffon in goal. After all, he’s been playing since before I was even born.
Congrats to Gianluigi for the prosperous career and I wish him nothing but the best in whatever he decides to do in his post-football life!