World of football pays tributes to Buffon as he retires
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Buffon holds the record for most Serie A matches contested (657) and is the most capped player in Italy's history with 176 (1997-2018).
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Gianluigi Buffon holds the 2015-2016 Serie A trophy aloft, surrounded by his Juventus teammates (AFP)
Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon announced his retirement on Wednesday at the age of 45, sparking tributes from the world of football.
"That's all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together," Buffon posted on social media.
Buffon won 10 Serie A titles with Juventus but ended his fantastic career back where it all started at Parma.
That's all folks!
— Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon) August 2, 2023
You gave me everything.
I gave you everything.
We did it together. pic.twitter.com/bGvIDsoFsG
He had a contract which ran until next summer with Parma but he will no longer be a part of the Serie B club's bid to return to the top flight after two years away.
"We would like to thank you once again: It is one of those moments we will remember in the history of football," Juventus said in a statement.
"You were not only the best, you did more than that, you became THE goalkeeper."
It was at Parma that he won his only European club trophy -- the 1999 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) -- but he retires without a Champions League winners medal, having lost three times in the final with Juventus.
Parma paid tribute to him, saying he is "a man, a champion, a captain for the club and the city."
"Over the course of his illustrious career, Gigi was unequalled, in his abilities, an implacable determination and an unshakable passion both on the pitch and off it," expressed Parma owner Kyle Krause.
Buffon also won a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint Germain in the 2018/19 season before he returned to Juventus for two more years.
His former PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe took to social media to pay tribute to Buffon, describing him as "a golden man".
"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," Mbappe wrote.
"You are a golden man who gave me precious advice that I will keep with me for the rest of my life."
Un immense honneur pour moi d’avoir eu la chance de te côtoyer et croiser la route de ta carrière légendaire.
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) August 2, 2023
Un homme en or avec des précieux conseils que je garderai avec moi toute ma vie.
Bonne route et surtout MERCI 🇮🇹👑@gianluigibuffon pic.twitter.com/u3x9X2ARHl
Buffon holds the record for most Serie A matches contested (657) and is the most capped player in Italy's history with 176 (1997-2018).
