'You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together:' Gianluigi Buffon's farewell note to fans after hanging boots

The pinnacle of Buffon’s career came during the 2006 World Cup, when he conceded only two goals during the seven matches of the Azzurri’s run to the trophy.

Hyderabad: With a career spanning several decades and laurels that included a World Cup title with Italy, a long list of trophies with Juventus and many years when he was considered among the best goalkeepers in soccer, Gianluigi Buffon needs no introduction. Over the years, Azzuri's phenomenal rise was possible due to the goalkeeper's breathtaking performance under the goal bar.

Much to the heartbreak of fans and countless admirers, the Italian great announced his retirement on Wednesday. Buffon had one season remaining on his contract with Parma in Serie B and therefore leaves the sport with the same team that he began his professional career with nearly three decades ago.

• Gianluigi Buffon confirms he has retired from football aged 45.
  
  He won 29 trophies in a career spanning 1995-2023. 2006 World Cup, 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and the UEFA Cup with Parma amongst the highs.🧤 pic.twitter.com/NVUyE3CrtA

  — Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 2, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Gianluigi Buffon confirms he has retired from football aged 45.
  
  He won 29 trophies in a career spanning 1995-2023. 2006 World Cup, 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and the UEFA Cup with Parma amongst the highs.🧤 pic.twitter.com/NVUyE3CrtA

  — Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 2, 2023

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  Gianluigi Buffon confirms he has retired from football aged 45.
  
  He won 29 trophies in a career spanning 1995-2023. 2006 World Cup, 10 Serie A titles with Juventus and the UEFA Cup with Parma amongst the highs.🧤 pic.twitter.com/NVUyE3CrtA

  — Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 2, 2023

“That’s all folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together,” Buffon wrote on Instagram. The pinnacle of Buffon’s career came during the 2006 World Cup, when he conceded only two goals during the seven matches of the Azzurri’s run to the trophy. Neither of those two goals were scored by opponents during open play. One was an own-goal by teammate Cristian Zaccardo and the other was a penalty kick by Zinedine Zidane during the final.

At Juventus, Buffon was the backbone behind 10 Serie A titles and stayed with the club even after the 2006 “Calciopoli” scandal that saw the team relegated to Serie B. He helped the Bianconeri win the second division a year after the World Cup title. The only big title missing from Buffon’s career was the Champions League, having lost three finals with Juventus — to AC Milan in 2003, to Barcelona in 2015 and to Real Madrid in 2017..Buffon left Juventus for Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 only to return to the Turin club a year later as a backup to Wojciech Szczesny. He then made a sentimental return to Parma in 2021.(With inputs from agencies)