Gianluigi Buffon will terminate his contract with Parma, which expires in June 2024.
Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi “Gigi” Buffon is retiring from soccer, according to Fabrizio Romano. An formal announcement is probably on the horizon.
Gigi, 45, spent the 2022-23 season with Parma Calcio FC in the Italian Serie B.
Buffon was set to stay at Parma until 2024. But chronic injuries and the club’s inability to gain promotion to Serie A last season may have influenced his decision.
Buffon battled various muscle problems last season, the most serious of which was a hamstring injury that kept him out for three months, and Parma finished fourth in Serie B with a 17-10-11 record.
The Italian player reportedly declined a lucrative contract to compete in the Saudi Pro League this summer in order to seal one last, significant agreement before retiring.
He would have followed in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in moving to Saudi Arabia.
Gianluigi Buffon: The Greatest of ALL TIME
Buffon, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, began his career with Parma as a 20-year-old during the 1998-99 season. Before joining Juventus ahead of the 2001–02 season, he spent the first three years of his career playing for the team.
Buffon rose to prominence at Juventus, where he spent 19 of his 28 professional seasons. He played for Juventus from 2001 to 2018, before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2018-19.
Buffon left PSG after only one season. He then spent the next two years with Juventus before returning to Parma for his last two years.
During his storied career, the renowned goalie won multiple trophies, including 10 Serie A crowns and a Ligue 1 triumph. He also played a role in Italy’s World Cup victory in 2006, with Andrea Pirlo and Fabio Cannavaro.
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