The legendary Italian goalkeeper and 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon has announced that he is retiring from football after a legendary 28-year-long career at the age of 45.
Buffon said goodbye to football in a social media post after winning 29 trophies and as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
“That's all folks. You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together," he wrote on social media.
Buffon ended his 28-year-long career at the same club where he started, Parma.
With age catching up the Italian, he struggled with injuries during last season and only made 18 appearances and has now announced retirement despite having a contract till 2024.
Buffon started his career at Parma’s academy and made his Serie A debut in November 1995. His impressive performances throughout the years caught the attention of big clubs.
He then joined Juventus in 2001 for a record goalkeeper fee of that time, £32.6 million.
The 45-year-old spent the majority of his career with The Old Lady, playing a record 657 matches where he helped them win 10 Serie A titles.
He is also the most-capped goalkeeper of all time with 176 appearances for Italy.
Buffon played a total of 975 games in his career where he kept a total of 429 clean sheets.
He announced his retirement from international football in 2018 after Italy failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup that year.
Many clubs and footballing figures have sent their tributes to the legendary goalkeeper on his retirement.
Serie A posted: "There is football history. There is also Gigi Buffon. A fairytale career that took off and ended in one place."
"It was a huge honour for me to have the chance to rub shoulders with you and cross paths with you in your legendary career. You are a golden man who gave me precious advice that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. Good road and especially THANK YOU,” former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe tweeted.
"A legend hangs up his gloves today," tweeted Juventus. "Your saves, your smiles, and your character will be forever remembered."