Gianluigi Buffon has earned his first Ballon D'Or nomination from FIFA after what has been one of the best years of his career.
It is hard to top 2006 for the veteran as he was crowned World Cup Champion, but since then the Italian side has done little on the World Stage. He changed that his past summer when he led Italy to the Euro Cup Finals. Despite giving up 4 goals in that match, he only gave up three the rest of the tournament, including just one goal allowed against a mighty German offense that he helped to stifle. In that tournament he made 20 saves. In three World Cup qualifying matches, he has already lead Italy to a record of two wins and one draw.
What has been more impressive in Buffon's 2012 is how he led Juventus to an undefeated 2011-12 and a streak that lasted until the start of the current 2012-13 season. Juventus eventually lost after nine matches. In the UCL he has given up four goals in four games, but has already pitched one shutout and has made 11 saves in that span.
Biggest Moment of the Year: Buffon won the Italian Serie A with Juventus and made the Euro Cup final when his team was not expected to do so. Either one of these are defining moments in the veteran keeper's year.
Chances of Filling the Final Top Three Spot: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are locks for two of the top three spots in most people's books so the third player is really the only spot up for the running. Buffon has had a great season, but if he is to jump into that spot he has to also surpass the other keepers on the list. Iker Casillas also won the Spanish League Championship and defeated Buffon in the Euro Cup Final so if a keeper gets placed, he is the most likely option. Manuel Neuer made it to the Champions League Final, won the German League Championship and had a solid Euro and could also be the cause that Buffon ultimately does not better than the Top 23.
Other Nominee Profiles:
Sergio Aguero
Xabi Alonso
Mario Balotelli
Karim Benzema
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