Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was left in tears after Parma were knocked out of the Serie B playoffs by Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari late on Saturday evening.
The 45-year-old former Juventus ‘keeper had dreamed of helping Parma, the club who gave him his first opportunity in the professional game, back to Serie A for one last dance before calling it a day on his illustrious playing career.
However, despite leading Cagliari 2-0 at one stage of the playoff semi-final first leg, Ranieri’s men fought back to secure a 3-2 win, before playing out a 0-0 draw on Saturday to book their place in the final against Bari, at Buffon and Parma’s expense.
Italy’s all-time leading appearance maker could not hold back the emotions as he and the rest of the squad went over to thank the Parma supporters for their support after the final whistle on Saturday night.