Italian World Cup-winning keeper Gianluigi Buffon could become the first second-division player, and only the second goalie, to be voted European Footballer of the Year .
But his immediate aim is to help Juventus back to the top of Italian soccer .
"Others can talk about the Golden Ball. I've got my work cut out for me at the moment," he says. "It's tough down here but I think I'm hacking it". A string of clean sheets have boosted Juve fans' hopes of the club moving straight back to the top flight after relegation from Serie A in Italy's match-fixing scandal .
Buffon, 28, the world's most expensive keeper, won widespread plaudits when he stuck with Juve rather than heeding the siren calls of other big European clubs - unlike several of his team-mates .
"Juve has been my life for the last few years and I'm used to things at this little outfit," quipped the self-effacing keeper, known as much for his modesty as his cheerfulness .
The giant Buffon (1.91m), who recently rejected a 33-million-euro bid from Chelsea, is gathering a groundswell of support to become only the second goalie since Soviet legend Lev Yashin to win the Ballon d'Or .
"It's high time a goalkeeper got the award," Italy's former 'golden boy' Gianni Rivera said .
Rivera echoed FIFA presidential candidate and France great Michel Platini in tipping Buffon for the award, which will be announced in Paris November 28 .
The magazine France Football takes a worldwide poll of journalists for its contest, probably the most prestigious in the sport. Ex-Juventus playmaker Platini, who won the award from 1983 to 1985, said the "outstanding" World Cup performances of the Juve keeper merited recognition. Buffon's shot-stopping and commanding displays during the World Cup consolidated his reputation as the world's best goalie and earned him the tournament's Lev Yashin award as best keeper of the tournament .
The accolade was named after the Russian 'Black Spider' who has been the only goalkeeping recipient of the award, in 1963 .
The Juventus No.1 was vital to Italy's campaign, pulling off a series of brilliant saves including one from a bullet header by France's Zinedine Zidane in the final .
Italy only conceded one goal from open play during Germany 2006 - an own goal .
Buffon is one of seven Italy players up for the Golden ball out of the side that captured its fourth World Cup title in July. Others include Real Madrid (ex-Juve) defender Fabio Cannavaro and AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo .
They are up against the likes of Germany and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, England and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, Arsenal's France striker Thierry Henry and last year's winner, Ronaldinho of Brazil and Barcelona .
Zidane made the shortlist despite spoiling his World Cup final swansong with a red card for head-butting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest .
If he wins, Buffon would be Italy's fifth European Footballer of the Year, after Moar Sivori in 1961, Rivera in 1969, Paolo Rossi in 1982 and Roberto Baggio in 1993 .
Buffon was born in Carrara on the north Tuscan coast on January 28, 1978, into a sporting family - his father was a weightlifter and his mother the Italian shot put and discus champion. He made his Serie A debut for FC Parma at the age of 17 years and nine months. As a boy, Gigi idolised Cameroon goalkeeper Thomas N'Kono, who played for the 'Indomitable Lions' at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups. Buffon was first-choice goalkeeper at Parma for six seasons before his world-record transfer for 52.59 million euros to Juventus in 2001 .
The keeper made his debut for Italy away to Russia in October 1997. He was a reserve goalkeeper in the Azzurri squad at France 98 while injury forced him to miss Euro 2000. Buffon was back for Euro 2004 in Portugal but had little chance to make his mark given Italy's first-round exit. On a personal note, he is engaged to the Czech supermodel Alena Seredova .
They plan to marry soon .
