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Gianluigi Buffon Opens Up About Battle With Depression, Recalls Panic Attack

Gianluigi Buffon Opens Up About Battle With Depression, Recalls Panic Attack

Incredibly honest from Buffon.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Gianluigi Buffon has become the latest high-profile footballer to open up about his struggles with depression.

The Juventus and Italy legend is deemed to be one of the greatest goalkeepers in history and has a trophy cabinet that is only missing the coveted Champions League prize.

Image: PA
Image: PA

But as we know, mental illness does not discriminate and the 41-year old has recalled the tough time in which he suffered a panic attack right before a game against Reginna in 2005.

Because often it can be so hidden, none of his teammates actually picked up on what their No.1 was feeling and he went on to play the game, which the Old Lady won 1-0.

The victory, which included an important save from Gigi, was exactly what he needed and it felt like therapy to him.

"Nobody noticed, and in that moment I felt even more alone. I went onto the pitch, but I relied on my pride and my love for my work and I decided not to give up," he is quoted as saying by Calcio Mercato.

"I said to myself: 'If you take the easy way out, if you don't go onto the pitch, then you'll always do that'.

"I stayed on the pitch and after a few minutes I made a save from [Francesco] Cozza. We won the game 1-0 and it was like electroshock therapy for me.

"I was handsome, rich and famous and I wondered why it had never happened before. Why at that moment? Why not later? I saved myself through my pride."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Buffon's candid comments come after Andres Iniesta was refreshingly honest about his difficulties with depression - which stemmed from the death of his close friend and former Espanyol player, Dani Jarque.

"You do not feel like you are yourself, you do not enjoy things," he told Spanish TV show El Hormiguero.

"(You feel) that the people around you are just people, you have no feelings or passion." he said.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"You are empty inside and there comes a moment when you realise that you cannot go on (like that)."

"I was able to see that I needed someone to be able to get out of that situation. The most important thing is that I never lost hope."

Kudos to both men for bravely discussing their issues

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Mental Health, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus, Italy