LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Gianluigi Buffon is getting ready to announce his retirement from the game of professional football in order to accept a new position.
His 28-year career will soon come to an end despite having signed a contract extension with Parma in February 2022 that would have kept him there through next summer.
The renowned goalkeeper’s official declaration is anticipated within the next week, according to several publications in Italy.
Then, he will become a member of Roberto Mancini’s backroom staff and coach the Italian national team.
Buffon, who is regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers to ever play the position, made 1,175 games, with his first coming all the way back in November 1995.
Buffon began his professional career at Parma, where he won the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia, before being transferred to Juventus in 2001. He won 10 league championships during his 17 years in Turin, and he also helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup.
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He finished his spell at Juventus with 685 appearances, which places him second all-time at the team behind Alessandro Del Piero.
The goalkeeper returned to Juve in 2019 for an additional two seasons after spending one season in France with PSG.
Then, in 2021, Buffon’s career came full circle when he rejoined his old team Parma after they were demoted to Serie B.
Buffon had a stellar career, winning 10 Serie A championships, six Supercoppa Italianas, six Coppa Italias, and the 2006 World Cup.
Additionally, with 657 games under his belt, he holds the record for most Serie A appearances.
The goalkeeper also represented Italy between 1997 and 2018, making 176 appearances for the European nation and won the World Cup in 2006. He holds the record for most appearances for a single country.