announced that he will retire from football following the 2018
World Cup.
The 37-year-old has enjoyed an illustrious career, winning
the World Cup in 2006 with the Azzurri and claiming six
Serie A title with Juventus.
But the former Parma player, who moved to the Old Lady for
a record fee for a goalkeeper in 2001, will play out the
tournament in Russia and then end his career.
"I will try to make the next World Cup and then it may be
time to close the door. It will almost certainly be at the end
of the 2018 World Cup," Buffon signalled as he picked up the
Gianni Brera award for Sportsman of the Year.
The goalkeeper also referred to the recent Ballon d'Or prizes,
and repeated his indignation at being snubbed from the
shortlist.
"I deserved to be up there in the Ballon d'Or, but I knew it
would be impossible to win," he said.
"I was definitely taken by surprise."
And Buffon registered his delight with the form of the Old
Lady, singling out Paulo Dybala for praise.
"Juventus are enjoying a great spell right now, and 11
straight wins do not occur if you are not at your best
physically and mentally," the veteran said.
"We have to be careful, because all runs must come to an
end sooner or later. We must try and extend this form as
long as possible, to put our bad run once and all behind us.
"[Dybala] showed amazing things last year, but doing those
same things in Juventus is not the same as in another club.
It is really surprising, in such a short time he has taken over
control of the team going forward."
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