Former Italy goalkeeper and World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon has retired from soccer aged 45.
He wrote on social media: “That is all of us. You gave me every part. I gave you every part. We did it collectively.”
Buffon brings an finish to a 28-year profession that noticed him carry the World Cup in 2006 together with 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and Ligue 1 with Paris St-Germain.
He ends his profession the place it started in 1995, at Parma, now a Serie B membership.
Buffon, who had a take care of Parma till 2024, made 19 appearances final season as he struggled with accidents.
He started his profession at Parma’s academy and made his Serie A debut for the membership in November 1995 earlier than becoming a member of Juventus in 2001 in a £32.6m deal – a world file for a goalkeeper on the time.
Buffon spent most of his profession in Turin, regardless of a stint at PSG in 2018-19. In complete he made a file 657 appearances within the Italian high flight and is the most-capped goalkeeper of all time with 176 appearances for Italy.
Buffon retired from worldwide soccer in 2018 after Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup that 12 months.
His profession spotlight was profitable the World Cup as Italy beat France 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 attract Berlin.
Tributes to the ‘Golden man’
“Thanks to our no 1. Grazie, Gigi!” the Italian nationwide staff tweeted.
Serie A posted: “There may be soccer historical past. There may be additionally Gigi Buffon. A fairytale profession that took off and led to one place.”
Former PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe, 24, tweeted: “It was an enormous honour for me to have the prospect to rub shoulders with you and cross paths with you in your legendary profession.
“You’re a golden man who gave me treasured recommendation that I’ll hold with me for the remainder of my life.”
“A legend hangs up his gloves at present,” tweeted Juventus. “Your saves, your smiles, and your character can be endlessly remembered.”
In a letter to the participant, the Turin membership added: “It’s extremely troublesome to speak about soccer on a day when the gorgeous recreation bids farewell to its primary par excellence.
“You weren’t merely the most effective; you had been greater than that. You gave the place a face and have become THE goalkeeper to beat and aspire to be.
“You’re the participant that has worn our jersey for the longest and received probably the most trophies. You rank second within the all-time look charts and are, after all, the shot-stopper with probably the most clear sheets to his identify. You had been our captain and our rock. You had been merely Gigi.”
Parma president Kyle Krause mentioned: “All through his illustrious profession, which is unparalleled, Gigi has demonstrated unparalleled ability, relentless dedication and unwavering ardour on and off the pitch. Parma Calcio sends its heartfelt congratulations to a real champion and pal.”
