Gianluigi Buffon announces retirement from professional football

Italian great Gianluigi Buffon has finally decided to call time on his illustrious career and hang up his gloves after 28 years in the game, the former Parma goalkeeper confirmed.

Buffon retires having last represented Parma in Serie B, his second spell at the club in which he made his name as a professional. The 45-year-old shot-stopper holds a number of records in his career that saw him establish himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever play the game.

The former Italy international played 1,151 games in his career for club and country, winning 29 trophies including ten Serie A crowns and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was the first goalkeeper in history to keep 500 clean sheets in his career and won a host of individual awards, including the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, an award he holds the record of being the only goalkeeper ever to win.

Buffon represented Parma, Juventus and PSG, and also played for his country. He had an offer for a two-year contract in Saudi at the end of last season but decided against moving to the Gulf country and instead decided to hang his gloves. He remains one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation and all time, as well.