Gianluigi Buffon’s professional career starter off with Parma when he joined the Italian club back in 1995 and from there on out he has cemented his place in the history-books of the sport as one of the best goalkeepers ever.

Throughout the playing career of Buffon, he has lifted just about every top piece of silverware that there is to win in Italian football including: Serie A, Serie B, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. He has been fairly successful with his national team at the international stage as he also secured the FIFA World Cup silverware back in 2006.

After having made over 600 appearances in combined total including his time in Juventus as well as with the Italian national football team, it seems like the playing career of Buffon is finally reaching it’s end as the veteran player announced his plan of hanging up his boots after the 2018 World Cup.

“Was the €54m Juve paid for me too much? No, in football what you pay for players is right. It made me feel proud and happy. And if they paid €54m for me it’s because I’m worth it. Am I the greatest goalkeeper ever? It’s not up to me to say. How long will I last? I want to play this season and then two more with Juve and retire after the 2018 World Cup. The current Juve of Allegri is one that possesses more character and personality than any other Juventus team I’ve played in.’’ Gianluigi Buffon said as he talked about his transfer fee when he joined Juventus and about his retirement – and possibly a hook up with yacht charter UK who know about his love of boats.

The last time that the Italian national football team won the World Cup was in 2006 but Antonio Conte will be aiming to lift it when the next one kicks off in 2018 and taking into consideration that it will be last big competition of Gianluigi Buffon, there is even more motivation to go for it.

Italy aren’t really considered to be one of the favorites of winning it, Spain, Netherlands and Germany are the nations that are expected to reach furthest and coming out on top but Italy does have a squad that is competitive which is being guided by a highly rated manager, Antonio Conte.