Goalkeeper Buffon’s tearful farewell to Juventus
TALISMANIC goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon bid a tearful farewell to Juventus after 17 seasons at the club, when he played his last match for them in a 2-1 win over relegated Verona.
The Turin side, who clinched their seventh consecutive Serie A title a week ago, were leading 2-0 when Buffon was substituted in the 17th minute of the second half in his 656th appearance for the club in all competitions.
Amid the emotion, the 40year-old, who joined the Turin side from Parma in 2001, also lifted the Serie A trophy as it was presented to Juventus on the pitch after the match.
The 2006 World Cup winner, arguably one of the greatest goalkeepers the game has seen, handed his captain’s armband to midfielder Claudio Marchisio before hugging teammates and rival players as he left the field in tears to a standing ovation.
Buffon, who won nine Serie A and four Coppa Italia titles with Juventus and had kept 300 clean sheets heading into Saturday’s match, was replaced by third-choice goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio, who made his debut for the club.
Buffon, who announced Thursday that he would leave Juventus at season’s end but said he might still continue his playing career, had one save to make when he blocked a shot by Mohamed Fares in the first half.
Daniele Rugani put Juventus ahead four minutes after halftime from a rebound when Douglas Costa’s shot was parried by Verona goalkeeper Nicolas and Miralem Pjanic added a second three minutes later.
Alessio Cerci scored a consolation for Verona in the 76th minute.