It is a decision he has struggled with all season, and sitting at a press conference to discuss his future, Gigi Buffon was clearly yet to make up his mind. On Wednesday, an interview with Gerard Pique saw the Juventus goalkeeper admit he did not know if his career was over, and less than 24 hours later this event did little to clarify whether or not the 40-year-old was indeed at the end of his playing days.
The event at Juventus Stadium was announced earlier this week and some familiar faces in the audience served to underline its significance as former team-mate Pavel Nedved – now a club director – and Giorgio Chiellini stood close by. Joining the Bianconeri skipper on the podium was President Andrea Agnelli and he spoke first, offering a brief outline of Buffon’s accomplishments since his Serie A debut back in 1995.
Just listening to those numbers was to appreciate the greatness of the Juve No.1 as he collected no fewer than 26 winners medals, a tally which includes a staggering 11 league titles with the Old Lady. He had already won the Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup with Parma before joining the Bianconeri and can add a Serie B crown to that list after remaining with the club following their 2006 relegation, plus the World Cup later that same year.
With over 650 appearances for Juve and 176 caps for the Italian national team, his longevity has been almost as remarkable as his consistency, Buffon’s name in the conversation as one of the world’s best goalkeepers for almost two decades.
President Agnelli noted that Buffon wanted to end his career by becoming the first man to go to six World Cups, but it is since that dream was taken away from him that the player has struggled with his decision. With Wojciech Szczęsny clearly ready to replace him at club level, he had talked about continuing with the Azzurri but here it was revealed Buffon had been offered an off-field role by Juventus.
When it was his turn to speak, the iconic star thanked the President before praising both the ability of Szczęsny and endorsing Chiellini as his successor in the role of Captain. “We have shared the Bianconeri dressing room for many years and he possesses all of the values required to wear that armband,” Buffon said. “I wish him all the best.”
He then went on to say his time with the Old Lady will end this weekend in the club’s last outing of the 2017/18 campaign, adding that he would also no longer be representing Italy. “Saturday will be my final match for Juventus,” he said. “To end this journey with two trophies – and with Andrea [Agnelli] and the entire Bianconeri world by my side – will be very special. I'm proud to have played to the best of my ability right up until now, with performances which befit both myself and this club. I make this decision in a calm and happy state of mind, which is not to be taken for granted for a sportsperson."
Yet what he didn’t say was that he would actually retire, going on to reveal he has a number of offers to move away from Juve which appears to confirm recent rumours of interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
"The most exciting proposal for my career off the pitch has come from the President,” Buffon went on to say. “Next week, after a few days to reflect, I shall make up my mind and follow my best instincts. If my future lies off the pitch, it will be necessary to undergo a training course in order to understand the right path to take and what role I could occupy.
“If I decide to continue my on-pitch career, it will boil down to whether I still have the necessary drive and strength,” he continued. “It's something that I'd need to think long and hard about. I don't want to end up playing in lower leagues. I want to enjoy Saturday just like all other title celebrations. I’ve seen plenty of them down the years, so all that I ask for is your respect and affection towards me on the day.”
Given the news that this will be the last time these supporters get to salute him – and the thought that he could wear a different shirt next year – means it will be a unique occasion as they will be saying goodbye not knowing if he will write the next chapter of his story somewhere else.
But whatever happens, Gigi Buffon will certainly realise how much he means to those fans as Juventus Stadium bids farewell to a legend.
