This archive report was first published on 4 July 2020.
Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon is on the cusp of a historic milestone, set to break Paolo Maldini's Serie A appearance record when Juventus face Torino on Saturday.
At 42, Buffon is expected to make his 648th league appearance, surpassing Maldini's record set over 25 years ago. The former Italy captain has been a stalwart for Juventus, signing a one-year contract extension alongside fellow veteran Giorgio Chiellini in June.
Buffon's determination to continue playing is evident in his recent comments, stating, 'The truth is that I'm still playing because I feel good, I'm competitive and also because I know I can get better.' He added, 'When you have room for improvement, you have that fire inside you that means you're not satisfied with yourself.'
Buffon's remarkable career has seen him win numerous accolades, including the 2006 World Cup with Italy. He currently holds the record for most appearances for the national team, with 176 caps between 1997 and 2018.
As Juventus chase their ninth consecutive title, Buffon's presence on the pitch will be crucial. The team is four points ahead of Lazio, who face AC Milan on Sunday, and will be looking to maintain their lead in the title race.
With Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo leading the charge, Juventus will be confident of securing a win against Torino, who are struggling with a seven-match losing streak.
