Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has officially announced his retirement from professional football, bringing a remarkable 28-year career to a close.
The 45-year-old Italian shot-stopper started his journey in 1995 at Parma, where he made 220 appearances during his first spell with the club. In 2001, he joined Juventus and spent an illustrious 17 years with the Turin-based team.
Buffon’s career took an international turn in 2006 when he represented Italy and played a vital role in their World Cup triumph. He earned a total of 176 caps for the Italian national team and was also part of the squad that reached the Euro 2012 final.
The goalkeeper later moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 but returned to Juventus after just one season. In a sentimental move, Buffon made a homecoming to Parma in 2021, where his professional journey initially began.
Throughout his career, Buffon achieved numerous accolades and helped Juventus secure an astonishing 10 Serie A titles during his tenure. Additionally, he lifted the Coppa Italia, Italian Super Cup, UEFA Cup during his time at Parma and the 2018-19 Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.
Buffon’s last season was plagued by injuries, limiting him to only 19 appearances. Despite the setbacks, he expressed gratitude to his fans on social media, stating, “That’s all folks. You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together.”
The football world is now filled with tributes and heartfelt messages from clubs, fans, and fellow players celebrating Buffon’s unrivaled contribution to the game.
Juventus posted a touching message on their official website, describing him as “the goalkeeper to beat and aspire to be” and thanking him for rewriting the concept of insurmountable, unbeatable, and eternal.