Paolo Menicucci

Aug 26, 2024 | uefa.com | Paolo Menicucci

Article body Gianluigi Buffon once joked that he could play until he is 65, but hung up his gloves at the age of 45. After the former Italy goalkeeper was confirmed as the recipient of the 2024 UEFA President's Award, we celebrate one of the UEFA Champions League's all-time greats.

Jan 23, 2024 | uefa.com | Paolo Menicucci

Article body Still Italy's all-time record marksman with 35 goals, Luigi Riva's most famous and important finish came in the 1968 UEFA European Championship final. He had fractured his left foot just over 12 months before and was struggling with a groin injury during the final tournament, his travails a measure of the bravery that earned the nickname 'Rombo di Tuono' (Thunderclap). Bad breakIt was in a March 1967 friendly against Portugal that Riva suffered the first of a series of bad injuries.

Jan 23, 2024 | uefa.com | Paolo Menicucci

Article body "One of the best, if not the best striker I have ever met," according to former Italy team-mate Sandro Mazzola, Luigi Riva, who has died aged 79, was only 29 when he played his 42nd and final Italy game at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. By then the man known as 'Rombo di Tuono' (the Roar of Thunder) had struck 35 goals for the Azzurri, still a record.

Aug 2, 2023 | es.uefa.com | Paolo Menicucci

Gianluigi Buffon bromeó en una ocasión diciendo que podría jugar hasta los 65 años, pero lo ha hecho a los 45 una vez que este miércoles ha anunciado su retirada del fútbol en activo. Celebramos en este artículo la trayectoria de este histórico guardameta. Jugadores con más partidosLo que podrías no saber• El deporte está en la sangre de la familia Buffon. La madre, Maria Stella, fue lanzadora de disco y tuvo el récord italiano durante 17 años. El padre, Adriano, fue campeón en lanzamiento de bala.

Aug 2, 2023 | uefa.com | Paolo Menicucci

Gianluigi Buffon once joked that he could play until he is 65, but has hung up his gloves at the age of 45. We celebrate one of the UEFA Champions League's all-time greats. All-time appearancesWhat you might not know• Sport is in Buffon's blood: mother Maria Stella held the Italian discus record for 17 years; father Adriano was a national junior shot put champion; sisters Guendalina and Veronica played volleyball, Guendalina winning the European Cup with Matera.