Considered one of the best goalkeepers in history, Gianluigi Buffon has announced his retirement from professional football through his social networks with an emotional message of thanks. At 25, Buffon has left an indelible mark on the world of football, winning the world title with Italy in 2006 and accumulating 10 Italian champion titles with Juventus, as well as one in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain. Yet throughout his career, he missed out on the coveted Champions League trophy.
The Italian goalkeeper ends his contract with Parma, the club of his beginnings, and although he played his last game for Italy in 2017, Buffon has shown an unwavering passion for football throughout his career. His spectacular style and confidence under his sticks have made him an impressive figure since his inception in Serie A in 1995.
Buffon leaves an impressive legacy in Italian football, holding the record for the most games played in the Italian championship with 657 games. His credits include a UEFA Cup with Parma in 1999 and numerous league titles with Juventus. The most memorable achievement of his career, however, was Italy’s victory at the 2006 World Cup in a final against France remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s famous headbutt of Marco Materazzi.
Although Buffon was unable to play a sixth World Cup with Italy, he retired with the record number of caps for the Italian national team, amassing 176 appearances between 1997 and 2018. Always faithful to Juventus, even during the Calciopoli scandal that led to the club’s relegation, Buffon left an indelible mark on the team and in the hearts of the fans.
His last conquest with Juventus was the Italian Cup in 2021, closing a glorious chapter in his career. Gianluigi Buffon’s farewell to professional football leaves an indelible legacy in the history of this sport, and he will be remembered as one of the best goalkeepers to have stepped onto the playing fields.