Gianluigi Buffon Is Cursed, Much Like An Ancient Mummy

Manchester United has traveled to Paris with a midfield anchored by Scott McTominay, Andreas Pereira and Fred along with a substitutes’ bench of assorted children and overturned a 2-0 deficit to eliminate PSG from the Champions League. 

Many are claiming it’s the work of Ole Gunnar Solskjær and the evocation of the Spirit of ’99, but I think it’s the mummy’s curse of Gianluigi Buffon. I’m not trying to rail on the fact that he’s 41 or be disrespectful, but he’s obviously ill-starred.

Put Buffon in the sarcophagus already, that was embarrassing

— Zito (@_Zeets) March 6, 2019

The Champions League is the one title that’s evaded him over the course of his 24-year career, and those who join Buffon in his quest for the ultimate treasure ultimately meet a terrible demise, just like those who looked for King Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings.  

Wednesday, the legendary shot-stopper compounded Thilo Kehrer’s early error by gifting United its second goal of the match after spilling a tame Marcus Rashford shot that came from a mile out, and this one might unfortunately make him question signing that rumored contract extension through the 2019-20 season.   

¡OTRO REGALITO DEL PSG! Osote de Buffon y Lukaku no perdona marcando su doblete @PSG_espanol 1-2@ManUtd (3-2)

Disfruta EN VIVO https://t.co/7SW3FygLeQ pic.twitter.com/YmzykV1xcR

— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 6, 2019

But the curse really came into play in the form of another referee with a garbage bin-shaped heart. Last year, it was the late foul on Lucas Vazquez that sent Buffon into a tirade. His protestations resulted in a red from Michael Oliver before the resulting spot kick was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Juventus had remarkably overturned a 3-0 deficit at the Santiago Bernabeu before the call was made. 

This time, it was an extremely contentious, VAR-influenced handball (although Buffon was still in goal for the penalty on this one). 

¡¡ES PENALLL, ES PENALLL, ES PENALLL!!@PSG_espanol 1-2 @ManUtd (3-2)

Disfruta EN VIVO https://t.co/7SW3FygLeQ pic.twitter.com/M7bGhb7jbk

— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 6, 2019

¡¡GOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL!! Marcus Rashford no perdona desde los 11 pasos y el United estaría eliminando al PSG. Milagro de los DIABLOS @PSG_espanol 1-3 @ManUtd (3-3)

Disfruta EN VIVO https://t.co/7SW3FygLeQ pic.twitter.com/S5ktPEyDLB

— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) March 6, 2019

The man’s been involved in two of the most dramatic Champions League matches of all time in the space of 329 days, and he’s twice suffered elimination via late penalty kick (Ronaldo’s at 90+8’, Rashford’s at 90+4’).