Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has announced his retirement from football at the age of 45.
Buffon is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever play the game. He announced his retirement on Twitter: “That’s all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together.”
This brings an end to a 28-year career during which the player lifted the World Cup in 2006 along with 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and Ligue 1 with Paris St-Germain.
Buffon, who had a deal with Parma until 2024, made 19 appearances last season as he struggled with injuries. He ends his career where it began in 1995, at Parma, now a Serie B club.
He made a record 657 appearances in the Italian top flight and is the most-capped goalkeeper of all time with 176 appearances for Italy.
Buffon won his last trophy in his final season with Juve two years ago, lifting the Italian Cup alongside Federico Chiesa, 22 years after he triumphed with Parma alongside his teammate’s father Enrico.
