Gianluigi Buffon has decided to retire from professional football at the age of 45, with an official announcement confirming his decision expected imminently. The iconic goalkeeper spent the last season with his boyhood club Parma, to whom he had returned after a prolonged spell with Juventus.

He was expected to continue with the club until 2024, but recurring injuries prevented him from carrying on. In addition, Parma’s failure to secure promotion from Serie B could have also played a part in the decision of the veteran goalkeeper.

There were offers from Al Hilal for the player to have a final massive payday in Saudi Arabia. But, he has made up his mind and will make his decision official very soon.

Gianluigi Buffon to retire from football at 45

It seems that time has finally caught up to the legend, with many muscle injuries bothering him during the past season. He spent three months out with a hamstring injury, among other minor ailments.

Buffon is most fondly remembered for his spell with Juventus. He made the move from Parma to Juventus as the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time, a transfer which was worth €52 million in 2001.

After spending 17 years with Juventus, he made the move to PSG as a free agent. But, returned to Turin only a year later and spent two more years with the Bianconeri before moving back to Parma in 2021.

Gianluigi Buffon won the 2006 World Cup with Italy and lifted ten Serie A titles with Juventus. He also won the Coppa Italia six times and the Supercoppa seven times. And now, he will be calling time on his career as one of the best goalkeepers of all-time.