Top football keeper visits Medjugorje

Italian national goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon seeks out peace in Medjugorje to recover from the European Championships and Italy’s 0-4 defeat against Spain in the final. Staying for two days, he attended visionary Ivan Dragicevic’s apparition and also spent time with two more visionaries.

gianluigi buffon italian italy footbaall national goalkeeper visits visit medjugorje giulio july 3 2012

Gianluigi Buffon

National team goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has joined the growing ranks of Italian top football players who visit Medjugorje. Upon landing in Mostar by private jet at 12.50 pm on July 3, Buffon was recognized and greeted by Italian pilgrims before he drove off to Medjugorje.

“Immediately after customs control, Buffon went to Medjugorje along with his hosts where he will stay at least one evening and tomorrow” the Croatian newspaper Vecernji List reports.

ggianluigi buffon italy italian national football goalkeeper visit vists medjugorje july giulio 3 2012

Regarded as one of the world’s best football goalkeepers, Gianluigi Buffon (born January 28th 1978) has played 121 national games for Italy whose captain he has been since 2011. He was goalkeeper of the Italian team that won the World Cup in 2006, and has further won three Italian titles and one European Cup in 325 games with his daily side Juventus since transferring from Parma in 2001

About 3.30 pm, Buffon entered St. James Church, having spent 40 minutes until then in the rectory of Medjugorje talking to Fr. Miljenko Steko, the Franciscan Deputy Provincial.

The goalkeeper was present when visionary Ivan Dragicevic had his apparition in his private chapel on Tuesday when Buffon also met with visionary Ivanka Ivankovic-Elez. He talked to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo on Wednesday, Vecernji List reports in the evening.

Late on Tuesday evening, Gianluigi Buffon climbed Apparition Hill, the Croatian newspaper 24 sata reports, adding that the goalkeeper also spent time with former Croatian national player Mario Stanic who played with Buffon at Parma.

gianluigi buffon mario stanic visit visited medjugorje luglio july 3 4 2012

Gianluigi Buffon and former Croatian national player Mario Stanic in Medjugorje. Early in Buffon’s career, the two played in the Italian League A together at Parma.  Photo: citluk.ba

Miki Vasilj, local guide for Gianluigi Buffon, tells Vecernji List that the Italian team captain and former World Cup winner wants his visit to be private, and that Buffon will not give interviews.

Italian talkshow host and Medjugorje author Paolo Brosio tells that Buffon, a friend of his, is seeking peace in Medjugorje.

“We are friends, we live in Forte dei Marmi just 200 meters from each other. Yesterday he said: “Paolo, I want to feel comfortable. In solitude, away from the spotlight” Brosio tells Calcio Sport 24.

paolo brosio medjugorje

Paolo Brosio

“I can testify that his faith is deep and sincere. Gianluigi needs to pray, to reflect. He went to Medjugorje because he felt the call in his heart.”

The Italian goalkeeper has been to Medjugorje before. According to the Croatian daily 24 sata, his mother is involved in a lot of Medjugorje-based humanitarian projects, serving as a main contributor. Locals also tell Vecernji List that Buffon has visited before.

On Wednesday evening, Vecernji List informed that Buffon had left Medjugorje a little earlier on July 4.

 

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