Gianluigi Buffon became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world last summer when Juventus splashed out £32.6m to take him from Parma.
It is amazing to think that he is still only 24, having made his debut for Parma as a 17-year-old in 1995.
It was clear then that he would go on to represent Italy - his agility and composure marked him out as one for the future.
Within two seasons he was in the Italy squad, making his national-team debut as a first-half substitute for the injured Gianluca Pagliuca in Italy's 1998 World Cup play-off with Russia.
In freezing temperatures, Buffon took the field in his trademark short-sleeved goalkeeper's shirt and made several crucial saves to become an instant hero.
He made it into the last World Cup squad but did not play in France.
However, he missed Euro 2000 after breaking a bone in his hand.
In 1996, he helped the Italian Under-21 team win the European Championship.