Buffon leaves Juventus. The announcement was made at a press conference and today, Saturday 19 May, will be the last match played by the captain. He will celebrate the Scudetto, the ninth of his career and will say goodbye to team he has played with for the past seventeen years. Twenty-three years of career that have consecrated Gigi Buffon as one of the strongest goalkeepers in the history of football and one of the most famous players ever. A farewell that leaves many doors open ...
Gigi Buffon and farewell to Juventus
“Until 15 days ago I was sure to stop, now very stimulating proposals have arrived. I'll decide in a week. " So Buffon confessed to the press, leaving some glimmers open, but ruled out returning to play again in Italy or becoming a team manager. No second thoughts also regarding a return to the national team (the last match was the one against Argentina on 23 March last). He has received many proposals to continue his career as a goalkeeper in high-level clubs abroad, but the future is still uncertain and the footballer does not want to lose his balance.
He will leave his place to the Polish Wojciech Szczęsny, reserve goalkeeper this season. The captain's armband, on the other hand, will go to defender Giorgio Chiellini. The farewell was accompanied by the words of Andrea Agnelli, president of Juventus. Not negligible detail given the extraordinary relationship between the two. Gigi Buffon è the godfather of Livia Selin, daughter of the president Andrea Agnelli and his partner Deniz Alkalin. Such a close relationship, consolidated over the years and based on mutual trust and sincere friendship.
Thanks for everything Captain!
Buffon leaves the Juventus and the reactions from comrades, VIPs and friends were not long in coming. Social networks are full of dedications and gifts. Thoughts and reactions from those who shared the locker room with him, but also from opponents. As reported by the Milan newspaper, "Donnarumma, identified by many as his heir in the goalposts of the national team, congratulated the Juventus goalkeeper by posting a photos in the stories of Instagram. "Immense", the comment of the class of '99. " Or the comment of a small fan of the Luigi Einaudi primary school in Cuneo «We learned that Saturday will be your last match with the Juventus shirt and I wanted to tell you that I'm so sorry».
Saturday 19 May, the last match with Juve
Gigi Buffon is a record player: nine national titles. The 2006 World Cup in Germany and the 1999 UEFA Cup with Parma. Six Italian Super Cups, five Italian ones and a Serie B championship. The captain will play his last league game on Saturday afternoon at home against Hellas Verona. At the end, the celebrations for the victory of the 34th Scudetto will begin. It will be the 656th presence with Juventus (Buffon is the second player with the most appearances in the Juve club after Alessandro Del Piero). Buffon leaves Juventus and we do not know what his decisions will be nor what the future will hold for him, but we can wish him good luck and say hello to perhaps the last player of a great Italian generation.