Gianluigi Buffon, the legendary Italian goalkeeper, has enjoyed a career marked by unparalleled success on the football pitch, but his personal life, particularly his romantic journey, has also captured significant public attention. From early engagements to high-profile marriages and a recent wedding, Buffon's relationships have unfolded in the public eye, revealing a life as rich and dynamic off the field as it has been on it.
Buffon's romantic history began to draw public interest in the early 2000s, even before his long-term partnerships became widely known. One of his notable early relationships was with Italian sprint athlete Vincenza Calì. Their love story, described as brief but intense, lasted little over a year, concluding around February 2004.
Reports indicate that Buffon and Calì first crossed paths at Punta Raisi airport, an encounter that sparked a unique connection. Despite not exchanging words initially, their paths later intertwined, leading to a public relationship that was often featured in sports and gossip columns. Calì famously recounted receiving an impressive bouquet of roses and a charming note from Buffon, signed "Gigi with the bandana," inviting her to "take a leap in the dark." The relationship, however, ultimately ended, with Calì publicly confirming their separation and hinting at "indiscretions" that could not be forgiven.
Following this early engagement, Buffon embarked on a significant and widely publicized relationship with Czech model Alena Šeredová. Their partnership began in 2005, quickly becoming one of the most famous and followed love stories in the world of football during the 2000s. The couple's romance blossomed, leading to their marriage in a beautiful ceremony in June 2011.
During their time together, Buffon and Šeredová welcomed two sons, Louis Thomas and David Lee, born in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Their family life was often in the spotlight, and they were seen as a prominent football couple. However, after nearly a decade together and three years of marriage, the couple announced their separation and divorce in 2014, a development that surprised many fans and media outlets.
Shortly after his divorce from Alena Šeredová, Gianluigi Buffon found love again with Italian sports journalist and television host Ilaria D’Amico. Their relationship reportedly began in 2014, with their initial meeting said to have occurred at a charity dinner. This new romance quickly became a focal point of public interest, given D'Amico's own high profile in Italian media.
Their relationship progressed steadily, and in January 2016, Buffon and D'Amico welcomed their son, Leopoldo Mattia. The couple's bond was further solidified when they announced their engagement in 2017. Despite their engagement, they took their time before officially tying the knot, often being referred to as engaged for several years.
Finally, in October 2024, Gianluigi Buffon and Ilaria D’Amico officially exchanged vows in a stunning ceremony held in Tuscany. The wedding was a grand affair, attended by approximately 250 guests, including many of Buffon's former Italian teammates and notable figures from the football world. This long-anticipated marriage marked a new chapter in Buffon's romantic life, solidifying his commitment to D'Amico and their family.
Throughout his romantic journey, Gianluigi Buffon has navigated the complexities of high-profile relationships under intense media scrutiny. His progression from early engagements to two significant long-term partnerships, each resulting in children, paints a picture of a man dedicated to family and enduring love. His current marriage to Ilaria D’Amico represents the latest milestone in a romantic history that has been as captivating and evolving as his legendary career.