Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was named the UEFA goalkeeper for the 2016-17 season Thursday during the group stage draw in Monaco.
It is the second straight year he has won the award.
Buffon posted 22 clean sheets last season, including nine during the Champions League. His stellar work in net helped Juventus reach the Champions League final for the second time in three years. Domestically, Buffon had 13 shutouts in 30 games as Juventus completed a double with Serie A and Coppa Italia titles for the third consecutive season.
Buffon also is one of three finalists for the UEFA men’s player of the year. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo are the other two finalists. It’s the first time Buffon has made the shortlist, as he attempts to be the first goalkeeper to win the award. Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer came the closest with a runner-up finish to Ronaldo in 2014.