Gianluigi Buffon RETIRES from football at 45 years old

Gianluigi Buffon RETIRES from football at 45 years old as the Italian icon terminates his contract at Parma after legendary 28-year career

  • Gianluigi Buffon is set to retire from football following a stunning 28-year career 
  • Buffon will terminate his contract with Parma, which expires in June 2024 
  • The 45-year-old is expected to be offered Italy’s Chief of Delegation role 

Gianluigi Buffon has retired from football following a legendary 28-year career.

The 45-year-old previously stated that he intends to keep playing until the 2026 World Cup and had full intentions of seeing out his contract at Parma, which expires in June 2024.

However, a string of injuries over the past year have led the goalkeeper to reconsider his future before announcing the news on Wednesday.

He took to social media to post a video of some of his best career highlights, along with the caption: ‘That’s all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together.’

Buffon is now expected to be offered the Chief of Delegation role for the Italian national team, previously held by former Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli.

Gianluigi Buffon has called time on his career at 45 after winning everything there is to in Italy

Buffon was expected to see out his contract at Parma, which expires in June 2024 but a string of injuries have forced him to reconsider his future

Buffon helped Italy win the World Cup in 2006, beating France in the final

Buffon won 10 Serie A titles, six Supercoppa Italianas, six Coppa Italias while at Parma and Juventus, along with the Ligue 1 title and Trophee des Champions in a short stint at PSG

Buffon re-joined Parma in 2021 after starting his career in the academy before securing a move to Juventus. He had returned in the hopes of getting Parma back into Italy’s top-flight but was unable to do so during his final two seasons with the Serie B side.

Buffon made 45 appearances in all competitions during his second stint with Parma but was plagued by injuries last season. He only played 19 times in the 2022-23 campaign as he was sidelined by hamstring and calf issues. 

During the course of a remarkable career, Buffon won 10 Serie A titles, six Supercoppa Italianas, six Coppa Italias and a World Cup in 2006.

He also holds the record for the most appearances in Serie A with 657 games to his name.

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