Italian Goalkeeping Icon Gianluigi Buffon Announces Retirement From Football

Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has announced his retirement from football at the age of 45 after a long-glittering career.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Gianluigi Buffon has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 45.

Buffon spent the last two seasons in Serie B with his boyhood club Parma, and even though he was contracted for another year, he has now decided to call it quits after failing to gain promotion to the top-flight, as well as an injury-riddled season.

The former World Cup winner had also reportedly received a lucrative offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League side, however he turned down the offer to join Cristiano Ronaldo and co. in the Middle East.

Best known for his role inbetween the sticks for Juventus and the Italian national team, Buffon retires with 176 international caps to his name – the most of any Italian player throughout history.

During this time, of course, he lifted the World Cup in 2006 alongside legendary Fabio Cannavaro, as well as the Serie A title on 10 occasions, six Coppa Italia titles and seven Supercoppa Italiana titles.

He also lifted the UEFA Cup in his first spell with Parma, and won the Ligue 1 title in his brief stint with Paris Saint-Germain in 2018/19.

His individual accolades include the Serie A goalkeeper of the year on 13 occasions,  the Yashin Award at the 2006 World Cup, five inclusions in the UEFA Team of the Year, three inclusions in the FIFPRO World XI, and many, many more – seeing him close the door on football as a true legend of the game.

That’s all folks!
You gave me everything.
I gave you everything.
We did it together. pic.twitter.com/bGvIDsoFsG

— Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) August 2, 2023

READ MORE: Ex-Arsenal & Chelsea Star Cesc Fabregas Announces Retirement From Football

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