Buffon resigns as Juventus goalkeeper

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 were 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.”