Gianluigi Buffon's 2004 Panic Attack and Its Aftermath

On a cold, wet February evening in 2004, Juventus hosted Reggina at Turin’s Stadio delle Alpi in a Serie A match. During warm-up, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon experienced sudden breathlessness and dizziness, later identified as a panic attack. Goalkeeping coach Ivano Bordon offered Buffon the option to step aside. Buffon chose to play, made a crucial save from a free-kick, and Juventus won 1-0.

The Guardian

At the time, Juventus were six points behind the league leaders with thirteen matches remaining, still in the Champions League. The team had recently suffered a 4-0 defeat to Roma and had won a Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter on penalties, leaving morale uncertain.

The Guardian

Buffon saved a difficult free-kick in the 30th minute early in the game and later denied Ciccio Cozza with a one-handed block inside the six-yard box, preserving the scoreline. His contributions helped Juventus maintain a clean sheet and claim the narrow 1-0 win.

The Guardian

Buffon later described the episode as a panic attack, noting that “panic” was absent from his vocabulary. He reported sleeplessness, intrusive thoughts about disappointing fans and family, a lingering sense of weakness, and heightened anxiety. Dr Riccardo Agricola suggested possible depression, prompting Buffon to seek ongoing mental-health management, including professional support and coping strategies, beyond adrenaline-driven performance.

The Guardian

Buffon’s account underscores the limited mental-health language in professional football; he noted that the term “panic” was absent from his vocabulary and his doctor was the first to suggest depression, prompting broader discussion about psychological support for players.

The Guardian

Bordon reassured Buffon that he was not obligated to play and facilitated a brief walk-away period before the decision, emphasizing player welfare. Dr Agricola publicly raised the prospect of depression as a medical consideration, indicating Juventus’ medical staff were engaged with Buffon’s condition.

The Guardian

• “Bordon is a calm man, he looked at me and said: “Don’t worry, Gigi, you don’t have to play.” — Ivano Bordon, goalkeeping coach

The Guardian

• “Now stay there and walk around on your own for two or three minutes, and in the meantime I will tell Antonio to get ready. In 10 minutes you can tell me if you want to play or not, you aren’t obliged to.” — Ivano Bordon, goalkeeping coach

The Guardian

• “Gigi, it could be depression.” — Dr Riccardo Agricola, team doctor

The Guardian

• “When you have a panic attack, you don’t know you’re having a panic attack.” — Gianluigi Buffon, goalkeeper

The Guardian

Buffon’s autobiography *Saved* is now available, detailing the 2004 incident and contributing to ongoing dialogue about mental health in professional sport, encouraging other athletes to seek help.

The Guardian