Today all the goals of Italy lie desolate. They will never again find the shelter of who best protected them. Gianluigi Buffon will finish his career and he will do it where he started it, at Parma. The legendary goalkeeper leaves football after his last season with the northern Italian team, according to Sky Sport, La Gazzetta dello Sport and journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian will hang up his boots at the age of 45 after an impressive 28-year career. His story in football began to be written on November 19, 1995 when he made his debut in Serie A with Parma against Milan, in a match that ended 0-0, with ‘Gigi”s goal unbeaten. He thus presented himself to the world with a good announcement of the brilliant career that he would forge over the next almost three decades.
In 1999 he won his first titles after lifting the Italian Cup and Super Cup, as well as the historic UEFA Cup with Parma. His performances made Juventus pay attention to him in 2001 and he landed in Turin to write the most memorable stage of his career.
In ‘La Vecchia Signora’ he took ownership immediately and was indisputable for 17 seasons, until 2017/18. He won 8 leagues, 3 cups and 5 super cups, along with numerous individual recognitions that began to catapult him as one of the best on the planet in his position.
In the midst of all this, possibly the best moment of his career came. On July 9, 2006, Italy was crowned world champion with Buffon in goal. A legacy that will last forever in the hearts of Italians who saw Buffon defend his team on 176 occasions, 14 of them in World Cups.
When his love story with Juve came to an end, he packed his bags and went to France to play a season with Paris Saint-Germain, enough for him to celebrate a league and a super cup. But nostalgia was stronger and the archer returned to the arms of ‘La Vecchia Signora’ for one last dance that lasted two seasons. Enough to add a league, a cup and a super cup to his record.
But although his best moment was behind him, his body asked for more. That is why in the 2021/22 campaign he hung the shirt of his first love, Parma. ‘Gigi’s’ dream was to return the team to the first division and thus crown his career, but it could not be. Despite having a contract until 2024, he will hang up the gloves on him.
A legend who marveled under the three sticks for almost 30 years says goodbye to football. His legacy on the field is just a small sample of the greatness of one of the best goalkeepers in the entire history of the sport.