Sports

Goalkeeper Buffon Hints At Playing Till He Is 50

Published

6 years ago

October 9, 2018

The World Cup-winning goalkeeper moved to France from Juventus over the summer in order to delay his retirement and could continue for many more years.
Gianluigi Buffon is showing no sign of slowing down at the age of 40, with the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper suggesting that he could still have 10 years left in the tank.

The legendary Italian decided to prolong his playing career over the summer when making a move to France.

After 17 years as an iconic figure at Juventus, the World Cup winner opted to shelve retirement plans and take on a new challenge.

He is now refusing to set a date for the hanging up of his gloves, with a veteran performer determined to make the most of every opportunity he gets – even if that means playing until he is 50.

Buffon told L’Equipe’s Sport & Style magazine:

“I’ve learned in recent years that it would be a mistake to set a limit.

“At 32 I thought I’d play until 35. After that, circumstances dictated that I keep playing. Then I said to myself: ‘I’ll stop at 38’ . But at 38 I said: ‘I’ll stop at 40’.

“Life has made it so that I’m still here today, I could stop in six months, a year or 10 years and I don’t want to ask, I don’t want to know.

“I’m sure that the emotions and the life I’ve had, even in the dressing room, are not something I can find elsewhere. I’m not sure that a normal player would have lived this life the way I have.

“You have to accept that life has several phases, and you must never be surprised. So, I know that one day it’ll happen, and I won’t be taken by surprise.

“But I also know that everything will be completely different.”

The deal Buffon penned with PSG upon arriving at Parc des Princes in July includes a 12-month option to take him through the 2019-20 campaign.

He has already taken in six outings for the Ligue 1 giants this season, although he does face fierce competition for places from talented France international Alphonse Areola.