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Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon to make 500th appearance for club

Reuters

Gianluigi Buffon will be joining one of Italy's most exclusive clubs on Wednesday.

The Juventus goalkeeper will be making his 500th appearance for the club when he takes the pitch against Genoa, making him just the seventh player to hit the milestone.

Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Alessandro Costacurta (AC Milan), Franco Baresi (AC Milan), Javier Zanetti (Inter) and Giuseppe Bergomi achieved the feat while playing for the same club - while Francesco Totti (Roma) is the only other active player on the list.

"It's a goal that very few get to realize," Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said. "Gigi deserves it and I think he still has a lot more to give because he's got the enthusiasm of a young boy with the serenity and wisdom of a veteran. He's a veteran in football terms, but still young in life. Let's just see if I name him in the team."

"It's an added bonus to have him in the side," Allegri continued. "Also in terms of his professionalism in the dressing room, it's great for the younger players to have people like him, [Andrea] Barzagli, [Giorgio] Chiellini and [Andrea] Pirlo around -- they are an example for anybody who is new here."

Buffon, 36, made his Juventus debut 2001 - a 4-0 victory over Venezia.

A club legend and fan favorite for his decision to remain with the team following the infamous demotion to Serie B, Buffon's list of accolades is among the most dense in the game.

  • Five domestic titles (and a further two revoked following the Calciopoli scandal)
  • Twice voted into the FIFPro World XI
  • Three appearances on the UEFA Team of the Year
  • Four-time winner of the IFFHS Goalkeeper of the Year award
  • Named best goalkeeper of the 21st century in 2012 (IFFHS)
  • 2006 World Cup winner

A true legend.

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