Buffon’s ‘Unseen Fear’: The Panic Attack That Nearly Ended His Career
Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon has shared his harrowing experience with a panic attack that struck him before a 2004 Serie A match, an event that nearly led him to retire. He describes an overwhelming sense of fear and breathlessness that made him believe he was dying.
Goalkeeping coach Ivano Bordon’s understanding words, offering him a choice to play or not, were pivotal in helping Buffon regain control. He managed to play and secure a crucial win, but the incident highlighted a profound struggle with anxiety and depression that he would have to learn to manage throughout his career.