My Star Players

My Star Players

This part of my site pays tribute to the two players, who I think, have played the most prominent roles in Juve's renaissance of the past two years.

Pavel Nedved

Nedved: one of the most coveted players in world football.

When news filtered through in the summer of 2001 that Juve had purchased Czech international star Pavel Nedved for $41 million from rivals SS Lazio, fans at his former club staged a noisy, all-night demonstration; such was his importance to the Biancoceleste cause. I had always wondered why Juve couldn't enroll a player of his calibre given our considerable financial clout. Now he is ours. Thirty-two year-old Nedved's best attributes are his determination, vision, rare creativity, industrious running and passing, and his proven ability to raise his game on the biggest stages. A consummate dribbler, he also possesses an impressive goalscoring rate for a midfielder. In short, if he plays well, the whole team follows suit. For my money, he was the best player in all of Europe in 2002-03.

Yesterday, Pavel Nedved was voted World Player of the Year by British publication World Soccer.

Nedved receives the 2003 Ballon d' Or (Golden Ball) from French magazine France Football.

Gianluigi Buffon

Buffon shows maturity beyond his tender years.

Another summer 2001 mega-signing was that of Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from AC Parma. Incoming coach Marcello Lippi had deemed Dutchman Edwin van der Sar a liability. Buffon cost us about $53 million, a world record for a 'keeper. The most amazing thing about this guy is that he is still only 26; most goalkeepers don't reach their prime until their late 20's to mid 30's. So the future looks very bright. Buffon's performances for Juventus in season 2002-2003 were so impressive that European football governing body, UEFA, rewarded him with the Best Goalkeeper award. The only potential dark clouds on the horizon are the circulating rumors that wealthy football giants like Spain's Real Madrid CF and England's Chelsea FC are hoping to prize him away in the not-too-distant future. Most likely, another world-record transfer fee would be set. Let's hope that he doesn't get distracted by all the gossip.

Buffon shows off during last season's title celebrations.