Gianluigi Buffon announces his retirement from football at 45 after 28-year career

Gianluigi Buffon has announced his retirement from football following a legendary 28-year career.

The 45-year-old Italian goalkeeper previously stated that he intends to keep playing until the 2026 World Cup and had wanted to play out his contract at Parma, which expires in June 2024.

However, due to a string of injuries over the past year, he had to reconsider his future before announcing the news on Wednesday.

He took to social media to post a video of some of his best career highlights, along with the caption: ‘That’s all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together.’

Buffon is now expected to be offered the Chief of Delegation role for the Italian national team, previously held by former Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli.

Buffon re-joined Parma in 2021 after starting his career in the academy before securing a move to Juventus.

He made 45 appearances in all competitions during his second stint with Parma but was plagued by injuries last season. He only played 19 times in the 2022-23 campaign as he was sidelined by hamstring and calf issues.

During the course of a remarkable career, Buffon won 10 Serie A titles, six Supercoppa Italianas, six Coppa Italias, and a World Cup in 2006.

He also holds the record for the most appearances in Serie A with 657 games to his name.