Juventus’ longest serving goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Buffon revealed this at a press conference at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday.
The 40-year-old, who has spent 17 years at Turin, has captained the Old Lady to a seventh straight Serie A title and fourth consecutive Italian Cup triumph this season.
The shot-stopper also confirmed he would not play again for the Azzurri, ruling out an expected international farewell on June 4 in a friendly against the Netherlands.
Buffon is Italy’s most capped player with 176 appearances.
“To end this adventure with two new victories was important,” Buffon told a press conference at the Allianz Stadium.
“What am I going to do? Saturday, I’m playing a match and it’s the only thing that’s certain.”
Buffon continued, “Until 15 days ago, I was sure to stop playing, but I received some exciting proposals, both on and off the pitch. Off the pitch, the most interesting was made to me by (Juventus) president (Andrea) Agnelli.
“Next week, after a few days of calm reflection, I will make a definite and certain decision.”
“I’m certainly not someone who thinks it’s right to end my career in who knows what third or fourth division.
“I am a competitive animal and I won’t be able to live or feel at ease in that situation.
“My fear was to reach the end of the Juventus adventure as someone who people just put up with or a player who had lost it.”
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