Gianluigi Buffon explains “I’m a footballer until June” after which he’ll speak with Juventus President Andrea Agnelli and decide whether to play on.
The goalkeeper turns 40 on Sunday – read our special Buffon at 40 celebration here – and has previously stated that he’s likely to retire at the end of the season.
Gianluigi Buffon explains “I’m a footballer until June” after which he’ll speak with Juventus President Andrea Agnelli and decide whether to play on.
The goalkeeper turns 40 on Sunday – read our special Buffon at 40 celebration here – and has previously stated that he’s likely to retire at the end of the season.
However, in an interview with La Repubblica the veteran hinted he might play on, but only with the Bianconeri.
This afternoon he spoke with Sky, and he was asked if there’s a little voice in his head telling him to keep going.
“I congratulate you, because you asked a question I thought could only come from those with direct experience of this,” Buffon said.
“I think every professional, every footballer and every sportsman who has had a certain journey and lived through certain emotions will recognise that demon, but with that little voice you have to have a dialogue.
“It’s often conflicting, but it’s also true that it’s part of life. It’s a beautiful aspect of it, because it always reignites the flame and makes you sure you have the desire for a new challenge.
“For those who have experienced such challenges it’s something you can’t do without.”
If Buffon played another year he’d break Paolo Maldini’s Serie A appearance record, why not just go on as long as possible?
“No, because then you risk becoming a burden and I don’t want that.
“Secondly, when you get to a certain age you struggle to be serene in self-evaluation, probably because there’s some fear of being offended which I don’t possess.
“In that sense I’m surrounded by people, friends, relatives and even teammates who I speak to often and I ask them for their true and loyal advice, and also my health as a sportsman.
“In my opinion, someone who is an outsider is better able to see who is a protagonist at a particular time.
“That said, I think that right now I’m a footballer until June, not least because I have an important sense of responsibility to my teammates, my club and the directors who have always shown faith in me. It’s right that I only think of that.
“Then, as I’ve said many times, my relationship with the President [Andrea Agnelli] is a bond of friendship, so much so that we’ll meet together and evaluate everything calmly.
“In the end I’ve never liked forcing, I’ve always been proud to be a foundation, a point of strength in my team.
“That’s been the case throughout my career and as long as that’s the case, as long as others think that we can move forward.
“If not it’s only right to stop.”