Gianluigi Buffon: World Cup winner and goalkeeping legend retires age 45
After winning a World Cup with Italy, a long list of trophies with Juventus and spending decades considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Gianluigi Buffon has retired aged 45.
Buffon had one season remaining on his contract with Parma in Serie B and therefore leaves the sport with the same team that he began his professional career with nearly three decades ago.
“That’s all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together,” Buffon wrote on Instagram, alongside a video of his career highlights.
The pinnacle of Buffon’s career came during the 2006 World Cup, when he conceded just two goals during the seven matches of Italy's run to the trophy.
Neither of those two goals were scored by opponents during open play. One was an own-goal by teammate Cristian Zaccardo and the other was a penalty kick by Zinedine Zidane during the final.
“I experienced Buffon for 25 years, first with Juve and then on the national team — his greatness as a player and as a man,” former coach Marcello Lippi said, adding that he thinks Buffon should take a job with the national team.
At Juventus, Buffon was the backbone behind 10 Serie A titles and stayed with the club even after the 2006 “Calciopoli” scandal that saw the team relegated to Serie B.
He helped the Bianconeri win the second division a year after the World Cup title.
“A legend hangs up his gloves today,” Juventus tweeted. “Your saves, your smiles, and your character will be forever remembered. Thank you, and congrats on an incredible career.”
Buffon and Juventus also had two Serie A titles taken away due to the “Calciopoli” match-fixing scandal.
The only big title missing from Buffon’s career was the Champions League, having lost three finals with Juventus - to AC Milan in 2003, to Barcelona in 2015 and to Real Madrid in 2017.
Buffon left Juventus for Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 only to return to the Turin club a year later as a backup to Wojciech Szczesny. He then made a sentimental return to Parma in 2021.
Parma president Kyle Krause said: “Over the course of his illustrious career, which has no equals, Gigi showed an unrivaled ability, determination and passion on and off the field.
“Parma will always be your home,” he added.
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