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At the age of 45 and following a remarkable career that included winning a World Cup title with Italy, a plethora of trophies with Juventus, and numerous years where he was regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in soccer, Gianluigi Buffon has officially announced his retirement.
His decision comes despite having one more season left on his contract with Parma in Serie B, which means he concludes his illustrious journey with the same team he initially launched his professional career with nearly three decades ago.In an Instagram post accompanied by a video showcasing highlights from his remarkable career, Buffon expressed his gratitude and bid farewell, writing, “That’s all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together.” His retirement marks the end of a truly iconic era in the world of football.
The highlight of Gianluigi Buffon’s illustrious career was undoubtedly the 2006 World Cup, where he displayed remarkable goalkeeping prowess by allowing only two goals throughout the Azzurri’s seven matches en route to winning the championship. Notably, neither of these two goals came from open play by opponents. One was an unfortunate own-goal by his teammate Cristian Zaccardo, while the other was a penalty kick converted by Zinedine Zidane during the final.
Buffon’s exceptional performance and leadership played a pivotal role in Italy’s World Cup victory, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of soccer.
“I witnessed Buffon’s journey for 25 years, from his time at Juve to his contributions to the national team — his excellence both as a player and as an individual,” former coach Marcello Lippi remarked. Lippi went on to express his belief that Buffon should consider taking up a role with the national team.During his tenure with Juventus, Buffon played a pivotal role in securing 10 Serie A titles for the club.
He remained committed even after the 2006 “Calciopoli” scandal, which led to Juventus’ relegation to Serie B. Buffon’s resilience was evident as he aided the Bianconeri in swiftly regaining their position in the top division just a year after their World Cup victory.”Today, a legend hangs up his gloves,” Juventus conveyed through a tweet, expressing gratitude for Buffon’s exceptional saves, infectious smiles, and remarkable character. The club acknowledged his extraordinary career and offered congratulations.It’s noteworthy that Buffon and Juventus also had two Serie A titles revoked due to the “Calciopoli” match-fixing controversy.
Gianluigi Buffon’s extraordinary career was marked by numerous achievements, yet the Champions League title eluded him. He reached the final three times with Juventus but couldn’t clinch the title, facing defeats against AC Milan in 2003, Barcelona in 2015, and Real Madrid in 2017.
In 2018, Buffon departed Juventus for Paris Saint-Germain, but he returned to the Turin club a year later, taking up a role as a backup to Wojciech Szczesny. This was followed by a sentimental homecoming to Parma in 2021.
Reflecting on Buffon’s unparalleled career, Parma president Kyle Krause expressed admiration for his exceptional qualities on and off the field. He remarked, “Gigi showed an unrivaled ability, determination, and passion on and off the field.” Krause affirmed that Parma will forever be a cherished home for Buffon, honoring his indelible legacy.
