Gianluigi Buffon RETIRES from football aged 45 as the Italian icon terminates his contract with Parma after a storied 28-year career

Gianluigi Buffon has retired from football after a storied 28-year career.

The 45-year-old previously stated that he intends to continue playing until the 2026 World Cup and that he intends to play out his contract with Parma, which expires in June 2024.

However, due to a series of injuries in the past year, the goalkeeper had to think about his future earlier announced 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 people! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together.’

Buffon is now expected to be offered the position of chief of delegation for the Italy national team, formerly held by former Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli.

Buffon was expected to finish his contract with Parma, which expires in June 2024, but a series of injuries forced him to rethink his future.

Buffon won 10 Serie A titles, six Supercoppa Italianas, six Coppa Italias and a World Cup

Buffon rejoined Parma in 2021 having started his career in the academy before moving to Juventus. He had returned in hopes of getting Parma back into Italy’s top flight, but failed to do so during his final two seasons with the Serie B side.

Buffon made 45 appearances in all competitions during his second spell at Parma but was plagued with injuries last season. He made just 19 appearances in the 2022/23 season as he was sidelined by hamstring and calf problems.

In 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.