In a poignant message shared in English on his social media accounts, Buffon stated, “That’s all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together,” expressing his deep appreciation to his fans and the sport that made him an icon.
The veteran goalkeeper enjoyed an illustrious career that spanned over two decades, during which he achieved unparalleled success. He became synonymous with the Italian giants Juventus, winning an incredible 10 Serie A titles with the club. Despite his glorious accomplishments, Buffon’s journey came full circle when he concluded his footballing adventure at Parma, the club where it all began.
Among the highlights of his extensive career was his triumph at Parma, where he secured his only European club trophy, the 1999 UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League). However, one bittersweet moment that Buffon will carry with him into retirement is the lack of a Champions League winners medal, as he narrowly missed out three times in the final with Juventus.
The seasoned goalkeeper also left a mark in France, winning the Ligue 1 title during the 2018/19 season while playing for Paris Saint Germain. Following his brief stint with PSG, Buffon felt a magnetic pull back to Juventus, where he spent two more fruitful years before deciding to hang up his gloves.
Buffon’s incredible career was not only characterized by domestic accolades but also by an outstanding international presence. Throughout his time representing the Italian national team from 1997 to 2018, he amassed a staggering 176 caps, earning the title of the most capped player in Italy’s rich football history. His exceptional performances were pivotal in Italy’s successful campaigns in five World Cups, with the high point being their sensational victory in the 2006 World Cup, where they overcame France in a thrilling final, ultimately triumphing in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Nevertheless, the subsequent World Cups proved to be challenging, and Italy couldn’t replicate their previous success, bowing out in the first round four years later.
A record-breaker and a true icon of the beautiful game, Buffon will forever be remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. As he steps away from the pitch, football enthusiasts and players alike pay tribute to the legacy he leaves behind, filled with extraordinary achievements and an unwavering passion for the sport.
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