The African Goalkeeper Who Inspired Buffon and Made Him an Exceptional Keeper
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Who is the goalkeeper who transformed Buffon from a midfielder into a legendary shot-stopper?
Imagine Gianluigi Buffon, one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history, might never have become a goalkeeper if it weren’t for the inspiration of an African legend.
The Italian icon, who achieved numerous records with his national team and clubs, started his journey as a midfielder. But everything changed when he found his idol in an African goalkeeper.
Who is the goalkeeper who transformed Buffon from a midfielder into a legendary shot-stopper?
During his childhood, Buffon played as a midfielder and defender, with no dreams of becoming a goalkeeper. However, in 1990, during the FIFA World Cup hosted in Italy, his attention was captured by an African goalkeeper with an extraordinary presence on the field. That goalkeeper was none other than Thomas N’Kono, the Cameroonian legend and Espanyol star.
N’Kono was part of the Cameroon team that achieved a historic win against Argentina, the reigning champions led by Diego Maradona, with a 1-0 victory in the opening match at San Siro in Milan.
This match was a turning point for Buffon, inspiring him to shift his focus entirely to goalkeeping. Just a year after the 1990 World Cup, he joined the youth academy at Parma as a goalkeeper, beginning a journey that would etch his name in football history.
Buffon on N’Kono: “He changed my life.. Without him, I would never have become a goalkeeper”
Who is Thomas N’Kono?
Thomas N’Kono was no ordinary goalkeeper. He left an indelible mark on football, both at the club and international levels.
He led Espanyol to the 1988 UEFA Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Bayer Leverkusen after a dramatic series.
He won the CAF Champions League twice with Canon Yaoundé in the 1970s.
He played a crucial role in helping Cameroon win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984 and finish as runners-up in 1986.
N’Kono represented Cameroon in three FIFA World Cups (1982, 1990, 1994), solidifying his reputation as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers on the global stage.
At the twilight of his career, he won two Bolivian league titles with Club Bolívar.
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Exceptional Achievements
What sets N’Kono apart is his unique feat as one of only two African goalkeepers to win the African Player of the Year award, alongside Morocco’s legendary Badou Zaki.
N’Kono didn’t just win it once; he claimed the award twice, in 1978 and 1982, a record unmatched by any other goalkeeper. He was also named in La Liga’s Team of the Season three times during his career.
The Strange Incident of Witchcraft
Despite his illustrious career, N’Kono’s journey wasn’t without controversy. In 2002, while working as Cameroon’s goalkeeping coach during the Africa Cup of Nations, he was accused of using witchcraft in the semi-final match against Mali, which Cameroon won 3-0. Malian authorities detained him briefly before releasing him, adding another unique story to his remarkable life.
N’Kono’s Impact on Buffon
Buffon’s admiration for Thomas N’Kono ran deep, to the point where it completely altered his career path. Inspired by the Cameroonian goalkeeper, Buffon chose to become a goalkeeper himself, eventually achieving legendary status.
But Buffon’s respect for N’Kono didn’t stop there. He decided to honor his African idol in a personal way by naming his firstborn son Louis Thomas, after the legendary goalkeeper.
Speaking about N’Kono, Buffon once said: “He changed my life. Without him, I would never have become a goalkeeper. He inspired me, and my entire career owes so much to him.”
Just as Thomas N’Kono inspired the young Buffon to become a global football icon, Buffon has now become a role model for countless aspiring goalkeepers around the world. This is how legends are made—through inspiration that echoes across generations.
