Gianluigi Buffon: Italy goalkeeper to play final game for Juventus
Last updated on .From the section European Football
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will play his final game for Juventus on Saturday after 17 years with the club.
The World Cup winner, 40, will lift his ninth Serie A title against Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium.
Buffon said he changed his mind about retiring 15 days ago and has received job offers on and off the pitch.
"Next week, after two or three days of reflection and serenity, I will take my decision," he said.
Horncastle: What next for the 'Maradona of goalkeepers?'
Buffon is facing a Uefa ban for comments made about English referee Michael Oliver, who sent him off during the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Real Madrid last month.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, he said he was "sorry for offending the referee".
"If I saw the referee again, I would give him a hug and say that he should have taken more time with that decision," said Buffon.
"With the feelings, emotions and disappointment of the situation, I behaved in a way that was not usual for me. After that match, I went beyond the limits with the things I said about the referee and I apologise for that."
Buffon, who joined Juventus from Parma in 2001, has ruled out joining another Italian club, saying he does not want to play in a "minor league" and could take a six-month sabbatical.
He said: "Fifteen days ago, I was already an ex-player. Now I'm not sure any more. Proposals have arrived for some new challenges on and off the pitch. The most important off the pitch is from Juventus."
Buffon has captained Juventus to a seventh straight Serie A title and fourth consecutive Coppa Italia triumph this season.
"Saturday will be my final match for Juventus and to end this journey with two cups and with the president and the entire Bianconeri world by my side, will be very special," added the Italian.
Wojciech Szczesny, who moved to Turin from Arsenal in 2017, will succeed Buffon in goal next season.
Buffon, Italy's most capped player with 176 appearances, retired from national team duty after they failed to qualify for the World Cup in November.
He said he will not play on 4 June in a friendly against the Netherlands, adding he will "stay away from the national team".
Trophies and relegation
Buffon started his career at Parma, making his Serie A debut on 19 November 1995, aged 17, in a 0-0 draw against Milan.
He helped the club win the Uefa Cup and Coppa Italia in 1999, before sealing a move to Juventus in a £23.3m deal in 2001 - at the time a world record for a goalkeeper.
In his first two seasons at the club, he won two consecutive league titles and two more followed in 2005 and 2006, but they were later stripped due to a match fixing scandal and the club were relegated to Serie B.
Buffon endeared himself to the fans by staying with the club, winning promotion back to Serie A in 2007.
He became club captain following the departure of Alessandro Del Piero in 2012 as Juventus won the first of seven consecutive Serie A titles.
Buffon has never managed to win the Champions League, losing the 2003 final to AC Milan, in 2014 to Barcelona and in 2017 to Real Madrid.
From Parma to Juventus to where?
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Pleased to see he's apologised for pushing the ref as well, really horrible aspect of modern football.
About 95% of players who have won a European Cup won’t come close to the impact Buffon has had on the game. And I seriously doubt he goes to bed at night wishing he could swap careers with Tomasz Kuszczak.
Well played Gigi, well played.
Hugely respected by all in the game as an outstanding leader and role model."
Role model?!? If your idea of a role model is physically and verbally abusing an official only trying to do his job then we live in a completely morally bankrupt world.
An absolute legend of a goalkeeper and in his heyday was truly 'World Class' A fantastic servant to the 'old lady' Juventus and his Country.
Hugely respected by all in the game as an outstanding leader and role model.
Has won every honour in the game save for Champions League.
I wish him well for the future.
Arrogant in the extreme.
A shame to end a wonderful career on such a sour note.
' Posted by Mackem Micky '
A lot more than you mate!
Anyone posting here who wants to suggest that they have never said anything they should not have would be a liar (including myself).
A great player who deserves the accolade 'legend'. He will be sadly missed.
“What has ever won”
The World Cup, which is more than any British player these days will ever win.
You'd think every commentor on here is an absolute saint who has never said anything wrong in their lives!
"over rated douche bag - whats he ever won? "
get over it man