2016 Golden Foot Hublot

An international prize that stands out for two reasons - it shows the public and the fans’ favourite player and it can only be won once. The Golden Foot Hublot award was created by the famous agent Antonio Caliendo in 2003 and can be presented to active experienced players and the legends of the game. A jury of international journalists selects thirty players who are over 28 years old and the public votes first to decide on ten nominees. A second public round of voting then chooses the winner whose name is revealed at the Golden Foot Hublot ceremony. A golden trophy is presented to the winner who leaves their footprint in a bronze mould. Maradona and his footprints are the first on the Promenade des champions on the seafront in the Principality of Monaco. The bare footprints of the 70 greatest names in football are moulded into the ground.

The 14^th edition of the Golden Foot Hublot Award recognises the career of Gianluigi Buffon. He developed his talents with Juventus and has already been elected best goalkeeper of the 21^st Century by the IFFHS, best goalkeeper in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, best footballer of the year by UEFA in 2003 and is one of the most loyal players in history. Over twenty years ago, Buffon was signed by Parma in Serie A at the age of 17, before joining Juventus in 2001, with whom he still plays to this day. His contract has been extended until 2018 so he will celebrate his 40^th birthday with the Squadra and his 17 years with the club!

Nearly one million fans voted to name their favourite player and Buffon won 72% of the votes. The votes say a lot about the face of football today, with 56% of the votes cast by women and 44% by men, with an average age of 31.5 years.

October 20, 2016