Buffon ‘nearly fainted’ in WC 2006 final

(GSM) – Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon again criticised the official World Cup ball and had a remarkable revelation about the last World cup. “It’s a miracle I didn’t faint on the pitch during the 2006 Final.”

The Juventus goalie is one of many who have been very critical about the Jabulani ball that will be used in South Africa.

“The official World Cup ball is indecently bad,” he snapped. “If Andrea Pirlo misplaces a pass, he does it by 10cm, but with this ball 10cm become 3m.

“I’ve never played against Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, so I’d be curious to know what that was like, although obviously it’d be better with a different ball.”

Buffon was one of the heroes of the last global tournament and lifted the trophy after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over France, when David Trezeguet hit the bar.

“I was psychologically a wreck by the end of that game. When the referee blew the whistle for the end of extra time, I hadn’t an ounce of emotional strength left.

“It’s not the best condition to be in, having to go to penalties for the World Cup trophy. I knew I didn’t have the right mindset to save any of them.

“After the Final I fainted in the locker room and it’s a miracle it didn’t happen on the pitch.”