Kathmandu, March 3
Gianluigi Buffon of Italy is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to have won a World Cup.
Buffon holds the record for the most appearances (176 caps) as a goalkeeper in international football. He represented the Italian national team for over two decades and has spent three decades in his football career.
The 47-year-old former footballer is a role model to thousands of players. Buffon is currently in Nepal to attend the KP Oli Football Cup final on March 3. For many footballers and supporters, seeing and meeting him is a dream come true. But for him, coming to Nepal has been like his “dream come true.”
“Since my childhood I had a dream to come to Nepal,” he says. During my childhood, the flag of Nepal always caught my eye, due to its unique appearance. Since then I had always wanted to come to Nepal.”
He expressed gratitude to the organisers for inviting him. For many footballers and supporters, it is a dream to see and meet him. But for him, coming to Nepal has been like a “dream come true.”
“Since my childhood, I have dreamed of visiting Nepal,” he said during the interaction program with the press on March 2. “During my childhood, the flag of Nepal always caught my eye because of its unique appearance. Since then, I have always wanted to come to Nepal.” He expressed gratitude to the organizers for inviting him.
Buffon played in five consecutive World Cups from 1998 to 2014. He was confined to the bench during the 1998 World Cup. He also won the Golden Glove Award when Italy won the World Cup in 2006.
Buffon, who came to Nepal to watch the final of the KP Oli Cup, said that he is excited for the match.
“I am very excited to see who will win the third edition of the KP Oli Cup,” he says. He also said that besides attending the match, he also wants to explore more things in Kathmandu.
“I have come with my wife and a friend. This time my priority is to watch the KP Oli Cup. Hopefully, I will come again to explore the city,” says Buffon. During the program Buffon also talked about Nepal’s football team. He said he wants to see Nepal playing in the World Cup.
“To achieve the World Cup dream, Nepal should invest in infrastructure and education. The country should encourage players. This is important,” he says.
